166 DIARY OF A SPORTSMAN NATURALIST 



The antelope were still feeding unconsciously, cropping 

 the short grass in eager mouthfuls. Now and then one or 

 other would raise its head abruptly and cast a keen look 

 around, but they were evidently unaware of the danger so 

 near to them. The lord of the herd was a fine old black 

 fellow with a glorious pair of horns set rather widely apart 

 at the tips. 



" I must have him," I muttered. " I must, he's a 

 beauty." Again I recommenced my painful journey. 

 Ahead of me there were two other small patches of the 

 thorny bush, and in another ten minutes I had succeeded 

 in attaining the nearest of these ; on reaching its shelter I 

 lay gasping for breath for a minute and then cautiously 

 raised my head. 



A glance was sufficient. All was not well. 



Something had alarmed the herd. The majority were 

 standing stock still, their noses snuffing the air, for wind 

 there was none. The old buck who was almost the nearest 

 to me was still feeding, but even he seemed to be uneasy, 

 and as I looked at them the animal raised his head and 

 stamped a hoof into the ground in irritation. 



I was not ready to fire as the rifle lay on the ground at 

 my side. I dare not move it, so could do nothing but lie 

 still. 



Suddenly they all turned with one accord and looked 

 away to the left. Raising my head slightly higher I looked 

 in that direction and saw a country cart slowly trundling 

 across the plain. After watching this steadfastly for a few 

 minutes the antelope were apparently reassured as they 

 resumed their feeding, but slowly moved off to the right. 



At first I was in despair at this move, but learned to 

 bless it as by degrees they brought the bush which was 

 slightly to my right in line with me. 



I at once saw my opportunity and took it. 



Leaving the sheltering bush I crawled as rapidly as 

 possible towards the one which was now ahead of me and 

 just got up to it before the first of the does arrived at a 

 point which would have made the movement an impossible 

 one. 



But by now I was reduced to a palpitating mass and 

 could do nothing but lie and gasp, eyes blinded by the per- 

 spiration pouring into them, and my spine like a red-hot 

 iron bar. 



