292 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



fit for use the moment the animal is killed. Like ti e gemsbok, 

 the eland is independent of water, and frequents the borders of tl e 

 great Kalahari desert in herds varying from ten to a hundred, ll 

 is also generally diffused throughout all the wooded districts of 

 the interior where I hunted. Like other varieties of deer and 

 an'elope, the old males may often be found consorilng together 

 apart from the females, and a troop of these, when in full condition, 

 may be likened to a herd of stall-fed oxen. The eland has less 

 speed than any other variety of antelope : and, by judicious riding, 

 they may be driven to camp from a great distance. In this man- 

 ner I have often ridden the best bull out of the herd, and brought 

 him within gunshot of my wagons, where I could more conveni- 

 ently cut up and preserve the flesh, without the trouble of send- 

 ing men and pack-oxen to fetch it. I have repeatedly seen an 

 eland drop down dead at the end of a severe chase, owing to his 

 plethoric habit. The skin of the eland I had just shot emitted, 

 like most <rther antelopes, the most delicious perfume of trees and 

 grass. 



