178 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



I had not concealed myfelf half an hour, above a nar- 

 row path leading to the principal cave, before I faw, firft one 

 antelope walking very {lately alone ; then four others, clofe- 

 ly following him. Although I was wholly hid as long as 

 I lay ftill, he feemed to have difcerned me from the inftant 

 that I faw him. I mould have thought it had been the 

 fmell that had difcovcred me, had not I ufed the precaution 

 of carrying a piece of burnt turf along with me, and left 

 one with my horfe likewife ; perhaps it was this unufuai 

 fmell that terrified him. Whatever was the caufe, he ad- 

 vanced apparently in fear, and feemed to be trailed with 

 the care of the flock, as the others teftified no apprehen- 

 sion, but were rather fporting or fighting with each other. 

 Still he advanced flower, and with greater caution ; but, be- 

 ing perfectly within reach, I did not think proper any long- 

 er to rifk the whole from a defire to acquire a greater num- 

 ber. I fhot him fo juilly, that, giving one leap five or fix 

 feet high, he fell dead upon his head. I' fired at the others,, 

 retiring all in a croud; killed one likewife, and lamed ano- 

 ther, who fled among the mountains, where darknefs pro- 

 tected him. We were perfectly content with our acquifi- 

 tion, and the nature of the place did not prompt us to look 

 after the wounded. We continued at the well to afTift our 

 companions who came in want of water, a duty with which: 

 neceffity binds us all to comply. . 



We returned near midnight with our game and our wa- 

 ter. We found our tents all lighted, which, at that time of 

 night, was unufuai. I thought, however, it was on account 

 of my abfence, and to guide me the hirer home. We were 

 however furprifed, when, coming within a moderate diftahce 

 of our tent, we heard the word called for; I anfwercd imme- 

 diately, 



