OFF FOR THE SOTIK DISTRICT. 819 



The two elands secured were of a class known as the largest of 

 the African antelopes, being equal in dimensions to a very large ox. 



A fine specimen of an adult bull eland will measure nearly six 

 feet in height at the shoulders, and is more than proportionately 

 ponderous in his build, being heavily burdened with fat as well as 

 with flesh. Owing to this great weight of body, the eland is not so 

 enduring as the generality of the antelopes, and can usually be ridden 

 down without much trouble. Ordinarily, the chase of this animal 

 is so simple a matter, that hunters generally contrive to drive it 

 towards their encampment, and will not kill it until it has approached 

 the wagon so closely that but little trouble is experienced in convey- 

 ing its flesh and hide to their wheeled treasure-house. 



THE FLESH OF THE ELAND VERY TENDER. 



The flesh of the eland is peculiarly excellent; and as it possesses 

 the valuable qualitv of being tender immediately after the animal is 

 killed, it is highly appreciated in the interior of Africa. In some 

 strange manner, the eland contrives to live for months together 

 without drinking, and even when the herbage is so dry that it 

 crumbles into powder in the hand the eland preserves its good condi- 

 tion, and is, moreover, found to contain water in its stomach if 

 opened. For its abstinence in licjuids, the eland compensates by its 

 ravenous appetite for solid food, and is so large a feeder that the 

 expense of keeping the animal would be almost too great for any 

 one wh.o endeavored to domesticate the animal with any hope of 

 profit. 



The color of the two elands was of a pale grayish-browai, and 

 their horns were nearly straight, spirally twisted, and of consider- 

 able size. 



Kermit Roosevelt also killed two very fine specimens of 

 cheetahs. The cheetah, youze or hunting cat, as it is indifl^erentlv 

 named, is rather a large animal, exceed'ng an ordinar}^ leopard in 

 stature. This superiority in size appears to be greater than it really 

 is, on account of their long limbs, which give it the aspect of a very 

 large animal. The head, however, is very small in proportion to 

 Its height, and the limbs, although very long, are slender, and devoid 



