172 



THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



the quarry to the ground, which as rapidly recovi 

 itself, and was immediately afterwards lost to view. 



Next an old buck duiker thrust out his head 

 from under a bush, stuck his nose into the air, sniffed 

 for a minute, and not being quite satisfied, wheeled 

 round rapidly and disappeared in the direction from 

 whence he had come. But the beaters were now 

 within 200 yards of his position, so he had no alter- 

 native but to face them or the space commanded by 

 my rifle. The latter course he selected, so with 

 cautious, mincing step he came forth and revealed 

 himself. This hesitation sealed his doom, for in a 

 moment afterwards I sent an Express bullet through 

 his shoulder. The game now came faster than I 

 could load for, hares, partridges, and guinea-fowl 

 being abundantly interspersed with buck. The first 

 three mentioned I allowed to go scatheless, for the 

 simple reason that I had no other alternative, my 

 weapon being entirely unsuited for such small fry. 

 However, I brought down a brace more steinbok 

 and another duiker, making more misses than hits. 

 By this time the Kaffirs were near the end of the 

 covert, when out bounded a large caracal (Felis 

 carafal], which " Chummy" and self both shot at, and 



