HINTS ON EAST AFRICAN STALKING, ETC. 199 



either side of the sportsman, each at a distance of about 200 

 yards from him. They should be told to keep well out of 

 sight, and not to show themselves unless they see that the 

 game is coming too much in their direction, and is likely to 

 pass out of range of the sportsman. In this case they must show 

 themselves for about a second, as that will be quite enough to 

 turn the game away from them. Most antelopes, if approached 

 quietly, start off at a trot when they are first moved, sometimes 

 even at a gallop, then settle down into a walk, and finally stop 

 altogether. This they always do after going a short distance, 

 to have a look round at the cause of their alarm. As the 

 beaters draw up, the game will continue to advance in this 

 manner, and may pull up just out of range of the sportsman 

 to have another look round. The beaters should, therefore, 

 be told beforehand to stop when they see that the game is 

 approaching within range of the ambushes. Should they 

 advance instead of stopping at this juncture, the game will 

 start oft' again at a trot, possibly at a gallop, and may rush 

 past the sportsman all huddled together, the best head in the 

 middle of the herd, and well protected from a shot by several 

 intervening females ; whereas, if the beaters stop when they 

 see the game getting near the ambushes, the game, after having 

 a good look at the beaters, will continue to advance at a walk, 

 and may stop altogether within range, and give a capital chance 

 for a successful shot. To a man who is at all excitable this 

 form of sport is perhaps more trying to the nerves than stalk- 

 ing. To see a fine bull eland or buck G. Grantii with a grand 

 head slowly drawing nearer and nearer, at one time appearing 

 likely to pass out of range, at another time coming straight for 

 the ambush behind which the sportsman is concealed, is very 

 exciting. There is the uncertainty as to whether the beast or 

 beasts will pass him at a gallop, trot, or walk; as to whether they 

 will stop altogether when within range : there is the absolute 

 necessity of keeping still, however uncomfortable the position 

 the sportsman may be in, combined with his eagerness to 

 secure a grand trophy ; and all these things tend to intensify 



