CHAP. in. ELAND. 165 



galloping on nasty stony ground, and had killed her so 

 far from camp that there was no hope of getting her meat 

 in till next day, though at the time our people were half- 

 starving. As it would do no good to continue hunting at 

 such a distance from camp as she had taken me, and as 

 my horse seemed dull and tired beyond what his work 

 accounted for, I was walking him towards home, and had 

 already come several miles, when I saw in front a solitary 

 eland cow feeding with some gnu and zebra, and I at once 

 determined to try and drive her campwards, and ultimately 

 kill her within reach of our men. To spare my horse, 

 however, in the first instance, I dismounted, and getting 

 into the hollow of a dry watercourse, led him until we 

 were opposite to where the antelopes were grazing, and 

 then mounting, I walked across the flat towards them. 

 In a second they all raised their heads and ceased feeding, 

 and after a long stare, always more prolonged at a horse- 

 man than at a solitary human being, they started away, 

 the zebra leading, followed by the eland, and the gnu, 

 with their wild plunging gallop, bringing up the rear, the 

 whole going as I had foreseen straight up wind, and 

 consequently in the direction in which my camp lay. 



I rode quietly enough after them, just at such a canter 

 as would not push my horse though continued for hours, 

 but which would keep me at the same tune in sight of 

 the chase ; and for about four miles we went along in the 

 steadiest fashion, without alteration or hindrance, till the 

 gnu, tired of such monotony, gave their tails an extra 

 swish, and stretching themselves out till their bellies 

 almost touched the ground, tore away at right angles to 

 their former course. The zebra, with whom the eland 



