388 LARGE GAME. CHAP. vin. 



and not more than a hundred yards long, lining a steep 

 bank overhanging a stream, on the other side of which 

 the ground was open. I then asked the Kaffirs whether 

 they had any objection to go in and drive the brute out, 

 pointing out to them that, although both in front and 

 across the brook there were jungles sufficiently large for 

 him to make for, yet it was all open in the direction from 

 which he had come, and that therefore there could be but 

 little fear of his attempting to break back in spite of them, 

 and as they at once consented to try, I went forward and 

 took up such a position that I could command a shot 

 whether the animal crossed the brook or came straight on. 

 But a few seconds elapsed after the men had entered 

 before I heard the bushes breaking, although the animal 

 was evidently not going fast, and then the sound ceased, 

 apparently but a few yards from where I stood concealed. 

 I instantly guessed the real truth : he was standing, as 

 they often do, on the very verge of the thicket, uncertain 

 whether it would be necessary for him to break, but the 

 shouts of the men getting louder and nearer, it at last 

 sprang out at the slow gallop which constitutes their 

 ordinary pace, and passed me within fifteen yards ; upon 

 which I fired right and left with S.S.G., and dropped him on 

 the spot. He turned out to be an old animal, with horns 

 worn almost to a needle point, and his great neck scarred 

 with innumerable marks of conflicts with others of his 

 species. The man whom he had so seriously injured 

 lingered for a couple of days, though from the moment the 

 doctor saw him no hopes were entertained of his recovery. 

 Of all the antelopes preyed upon by the leopard there 

 is none from which it meets with such determined resist- 



