HUNTING MADE UNEASY. 435 



ten yards of the game, it made a violent struggle, and 

 regained its legs, and, certainly surprising me by the 

 activity it displayed, charged straight at my sable 

 attendant. "With wonderful agility he skipped on one 

 side, avoiding the onslaught, at the same moment bury- 

 ing his assegai deep in his assailant's flank. The wounded 

 animal did not return to the attack, but at almost an 

 incredible pace followed the route of its comrades. As 

 it passed me, about twenty-five yards off, I fired at its 

 flank, but I was so nervous, so excited, that I believe 

 I made a clean miss. 



For more than an hour we spoored this animal, but 

 the only reward granted us for our trouble was the 

 recovery of the assegai, which, from the blood-marks on 

 the blade, must have penetrated several inches. Giving 

 up the pursuit of the wounded wildebeest as futile, we 

 turned our steps to the south, and crossed about half a 

 mile of country, where we came upon giraffe spoor. The 

 trail, which was very stale, told that they were only 

 three-quarter-grown animals. Travelling on farther to 

 the south, we crossed where quagga had just been. The 

 bushman at once took up this spoor, and went off at 

 such a rate of speed that in ten minutes it was a clear 

 case of bellows to mend with me. However, I 

 struggled along through the heavy sand, although I 

 was scarcely able to draw one leg after another, till, 

 through my slow progression, I lost sight of my spoorer 

 altogether. I was debating in my mind whether to go 

 on or turn back, when the bushman returned and the 

 following interesting conversation occurred between us. 

 When he was close to me, I said, 



" Kiloe " (Bechuana for wagon), meaning I wished 

 to go to it. 

 cc 2 



