262 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXX. 



party were in full pursuit of a wounded elephant, 

 when a herd of unusually dark-looking antelopes 

 attracted observation in an adjacent valley. Re- 

 connoitring, them through a pocket telescope from 

 the acclivity on which we stood, I at once exclaimed 

 that they were perfectly new to science ; and having 

 announced my determination of pursuing them, if 

 requisite, to the world's end, I dashed down the 

 slope, followed by the derision of the Hottentots, 

 for my unsportsman-like attention to an "ugly buck," 

 (me specimen of which, however, I assured them 

 I would rather have possessed than all the elephants 

 in Africa ! In an instant I was in the middle of 

 the herd, which was then crossing the valley — nine 

 chesnut-coloured does leading, and two magnificent 

 coal-black bucks — all with scimitar-shaped horns 

 — bringing up the rear. Hastily dismounting, I 

 was delighted to observe them stand for a few 

 seconds within fifty yards, and stare at me with 

 amazement. In vain was it, however, that I pulled 

 the trigger of my rifle ; three several times the heavy 

 machinery of the lock descended with alarming 

 vehemence, but no report followed the concussion ; 

 and the herd having in the mean time ascended a 

 steep hill, t fairly rode my horse to a stand in the 

 attempt to overtake them. Cursing my hard for- 

 tune, as I dashed the hateful weapon to the ground, 

 I hastened to the camp, to repair my broken rifle; 

 armed with which, and mounted on a fresh steed, I 

 returned with my companion to the spot ; where, 

 having taken up the foot-marks, we followed them. 



