14 HUNTING TRIPS 



open nature of the ground on which it is 

 found render it peculiarly difficult to stalk. 

 There is no cover, and if a man is once seen 

 by the game the latter will not let him get 

 out of sight again, unless it decides to go 

 off at a gait that soon puts half a dozen miles 

 between them. It shifts its position, so as 

 to keep the hunter continually in sight. 

 Thus, if it is standing on a ridge, and the 

 hunter disappear into a ravine up which he 

 intends to crawl, the antelope promptly gal- 

 lops off to some other place of observation 

 from which its foe is again visible ; and this 

 is repeated until the animal at last makes up 

 its mind to start for good. It keeps up an 

 incessant watch, being ever on the look-out 

 for danger, far or near; and as it can see 

 an immense distance, and has its home on 

 ground so level that a horseman can be 

 made out a mile off, its attention is apt to 

 be attracted when still four or five rifle-shots 

 beyond range, and after it has once caught a 

 glimpse of the foe, the latter might as well 

 give up all hopes of getting the game. 



