A RESIDENCE AT JUJA 



enters upon a vain pursuit. If the horse is an es- 

 pecially good one, so that the kongoni feels himself 

 a trifle closely pressed, the latter stops bouncing and 

 runs. Then he simply fades away into the distance. 

 These beasts are also given to chasing each other 

 all over the landscape. When a gentleman kongoni 

 conceives a dislike for another gentleman kongoni, 

 he makes no concealment of his emotions; but 

 marches up and prods him in the ribs. The en- 

 suing battle is usually fought out very stubbornly 

 with much feinting, parrying, clashing of the lyre- 

 shaped horns; and a good deal of crafty circling for a 

 favourable opening. As far as I was ever able to see 

 not much real damage is inflicted; though I could well 

 imagine that only skilful fence prevented unpleasant 

 punctures in soft spots. After a time one or the 

 other feels himself weakening. He dashes strongly 

 in, wheels while his antagonist is braced, and makes 

 off. The enemy pursues. Then, apparently, the 

 chase is on for the rest of the day. The victor is 

 not content merely to drive his rival out of the coun- 

 try; he wants to catch him. On that object he is 

 very intent; about as intent as the other fellow is of 

 getting away. I have seen two such beasts almost 

 run over a dozen men who were making no effort 

 to keep out of sight. Long after honour is satis- 

 fied, indeed, as it seems to me, long after the dic- 



395 



