A HOT CORNER. 171 



either the juveniles or ladies of their families. I 

 confess, too, that I possess a great liking for baboons, 

 and thus I was probably paying more attention to 

 them than circumstances justified me in doing, 

 when my boy touched * my elbow and pointed 

 downwards to the open space in front of my position ; 

 but he was too late in calling my attention, for I had 

 only sufficient time to see a steinbok go full pelt 

 out of range, and two duikers dive into the brush 

 that margined the watercourse. However, these 

 were only the advance guard of a numerous contingent 

 that was to follow. My friend, who was opposite, 

 and about 150 yards from my post, now commenced 

 shooting, and for some minutes his fusillade was 

 equal to that enjoyed among the pheasants when 

 the gunner is placed in the familiar "hot corner." 

 However, my turn had come, so for the time being 

 I will treat of my own performances. 



A brace of steinbok showed themselves, and 

 seemed to hesitate for a moment whether they would 

 make a run for it ; at length they mustered up 

 courage, and the two beauties started across the 

 open at racing pace. I give each a barrel, the first 

 dropping the game in its tracks, the second bringing 



