A Herd of Elands. 261 



approachecl, and was seen to be a large one, 

 nnniliering nearly tliirty, with several young 

 calves. At last I liacl come across these big- 

 creatures about which I had heard so much, whicli 

 I had hoped for so many days and dreamed of so 

 many nights. The herd looked splendid ; con- 

 spicuous among them stood the old bull, in 

 appearance almost twice as big as the cows, and 

 very majestic. Oft' they trotted into the bush as 

 we came within 500 yards ; after them we cantered, 

 and were soon close on their heels. The eland is 

 not speedy like the roan antelope, hartebeest, or 

 sable antelope ; he hardly ever goes out of a trot, 

 but when he is alarmed this trot keeps a horse at 

 a good hand canter to remain Avithin shootino* 

 distance. I went after the old bull, who soon left 

 the herd, and, accompanied by a single cow, took 

 over the plain. In a patch of bush this cow 

 abandoned him, and he trotted along all alone, a 

 great, fine beast. Three times I missed him. My 

 fourth l^uUet hit him high in the haunch, near the 

 tail, when he was al)out 150 yards away, as he was 

 crossing a s^Druit. Then I saw he could go no 

 longer, and rode up slowly within twenty yards of 

 him. I shall never forget the sight of this noble 

 and commanding luill eland looking at me most 

 reproachfully, and from time to time moving away 

 a i'ew paces very slowly. There was nothing un- 

 gainly or convulsive about his attitude or action, 

 as is often the case with other wounded buck 

 when the hunter draws near. AVlien dismounting 

 I gave him a bullet behind the shoulder, he 



