xxi AFRICAN ANTELOPES 345 



I was cool enough to take the trial shot. The distance was a little 

 over 200 yards. Taking a rest against the stem of a giant tree, I 

 fired. The bull fell as though struck by lightning. His more 

 distant companion went off at full speed, and was soon lost to 

 view ; but his nearest neighbour simply started for a few yards, 

 and after having regarded the situation without discovering any 

 enemy, he turned round with astonishment to inspect his fallen 

 friend. This turned the broadside towards me, and again I fired. 

 If a sledge-hammer had struck the skull, the animal could not have 

 succumbed more suddenly. This had a very pretty effect at so 

 long a distance, as the right and left had been fired within about 

 ten seconds, and both of these fine bulls lay stretched upon the 

 ground. 



I never like to see an animal fall apparently stone dead without 

 the slightest struggle, as it is generally paralysed for the moment, 

 but quickly recovers, and escapes : I accordingly ran towards the 

 spot, and immediately perceived Julian Baker and Higginbotham 

 racing across the rutty ground, hurrying to the scene. We soon 

 met. The first buck was shot through the centre of the shoulder : 

 had he been a target, the bullet would have made a bull's-eye. 

 We went a few paces to the right to examine the last shot. I had 

 missed the shoulder, and the bullet had struck the middle of the 

 neck. We were standing together, admiring the massive pro- 

 portions of this fine water-buck, when, without the slightest 

 warning or preparatory struggle, it jumped up and started off at 

 full gallop. In another second it dropped dead, with a bullet in 

 the back of the neck, as fortunately I had reloaded. 



This was a curious example of an instantaneous recovery from 

 the stunning effect of a shot in the neck. My rifle was a wonder- 

 fully accurate weapon, but it was in the early days of breechloaders, 

 and although -577, it carried the Snider hollow bullet and 2i 

 drams of powder. This had no penetration, and animals that were 

 well hit were continually escaping, which would not have been the 

 case with a larger charge and a solid bullet. In this instance the 

 bullet had struck the spine, but had not sufficient power to break 

 the bone, after passing through the hard muscles and tough hide of 

 the water-buck at a distance of about 220 paces. 



Two of these splendid animals formed a welcome addition to the 

 hard fare of the expedition, and they were quickly divided among 

 the men. 



There is an antelope in the marshy country of the White Nile 

 which I have never met with elsewhere. This is rather larger 

 than an ordinary donkey ; a jet-black colour, with a patch of pure 



