THE STORY OF THE ANTELOPE. 



339 



curveting around the wagons, wheeling about in endless circles and cutting 

 all sorts of curious capers. 



While I was riding hard to obtain a shot at a herd in front of me. other 

 herds cliarged down wind on my right and left, and, having described a 

 number of circular movements, they took up position upon the very ground 

 across which I had ridden only a few minutes before. Singly, and in small 

 troops of four or five individuals, the old bull wildebeests may be seen 

 stationed at intervals throughout the plains, standing motionless during a 



THE BLUE OR BRINDLED GNU. 



whole forenoon, coolly watching with a philosophic eye the movements of 

 the other game, uttering a loud snorting noise, and also a short sharp cry 

 which is peculiar to them. When the hunter approaches these old bulls, 

 they commence whisking their long white tails in a most eccentric manner; 

 then, springing into the air, begin prancing and capering, and pursue each 

 other in circles at their utmost speed. Suddenly they all pull up together 

 to overhaul the intruder, when the bulls will often commence fighting in 

 the most violent manner, dropping on their knees at every shock; then, 



