4 8 



THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



once eye-witness of one of these fights, and so 

 interesting did I find it that, in giving an account 

 of it in extenso, I trust I shall not trespass upon the 

 reader's patience. 



In a locality through which I was travelling, 

 situated near the eastern limit of the Kalihari Desert, 

 I found springbok very numerous and tame. Being 

 extremely anxious to learn some of the minor details 

 of the life of this beautiful and interesting animal, 

 I deemed this a fitting opportunity. Thus, availing 

 myself of the shelter of a dry river-bed, I got 

 within a hundred and fifty yards of the objects of 

 my curiosity. The wind exactly suited my purpose, 

 so I determined, by the aid of several large ant- 

 hills, to lessen the distance. A sparse karroo shrub 

 further aided me in my effort, so when at length 

 I raised my head, my hunting-cap being decorated 

 with a wisp of grass and leaves to assist my pur- 

 pose, I found that my dangerous presence was as 

 yet undiscovered. Nearer to me than the ante- 

 lopes, however, was a battle royal commencing to 

 be fought between a secretary bird and what the 

 Boers designate a " ringkaal," a species of snake that 

 frequently grows to the length of seven or eight 



