80 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. X. 



there are abundance in the river — caused great con- 

 sternation : Richard screaming, and the Hottentots 

 expending their ball-cartridge as usual. 



The two following days were spent in hunting 

 the eland and gemsbok.* The latter, which is 

 doubtless the animal from which the delineations of 

 the fabulous unicorn have descended, is one of the 

 most magnificent antelopes in the universe. Al- 

 though common in Namaqua-land, it is rare in this 

 part of the country, and we were fortunate in find- 

 ing three, one of which I succeeded in riding down : 

 nearly, however, sacrificing ray best horse in the 

 arduous achievement. The oryx is about the size 

 of an ass, and nearly of the same ground colour, 

 with a black list stripe down the back and on each 

 flank ; white legs, variegated with black bands ; 

 and a white face, marked with the figure of a black 

 nose-band and head-stall. Its copious black tail 

 literally sweeps the ground : a mane reversed, and 

 a tuft of flowing black hair on the breast, whh a 

 pair of straight slender horns (common to both 

 sexes), three feet in length, and ringed at the base, 

 completing the portrait. During the chase, I 

 passed under the noses of three rhinoceroses, which, 

 on my return, I was unable to find. Richardson 

 had fallen in with a troop of five lions, one of which 

 he wounded, but being deserted by the Hottentots, 

 was unable to follow among the brushwood ; and 

 my horse was so completely exhausted, that 1 was 

 obhged to drag him home, carrying the saddle myself. 



* Ofi/x Capensis, Delineated in the African Views. 



