CHAP. XIX ATTEMPT TO DRIVE GAZELLES 347 



became visible, and before I had time to fire, all three 

 jumped up, and without stopping to look again, bolted 

 down into the plain. Following a short distance we 

 soon saw them grazing below. It was exasperating to 

 see how well these little brutes knew that their safety 

 lay in remaining in open ground. About a mile to the 

 north of where the three were, we suddenly caught 

 sight of the four bucks who formed the other herd we 

 were in pursuit of. They were also placidly grazing in a 

 perfectly unapproachable position. 



The question then was, what was to be done ? It 

 was no use waiting, for, judging from previous experi- 

 ence, the herds might, and probably would, having been 

 once frightened, remain on the plain till dark. The 

 shikaris had no suggestions to offer. So I said that 

 we had best try to drive them out of the plain, and then 

 if they went to any spot where a stalk was possible, a 

 stalk might be attempted. 



In front of us, on the other side of the level ground, 

 was a hill, the crest of which ran parallel to the length of 

 the plain, and at right angles to us if we were to advance 

 straight towards it from where we were. To our right 

 front was a ravine, forming the northern end of the 

 plain. To the left the plain stretched away for some 

 miles, till it ended at the hills around our camp. We 

 resolved to go straight down, openly, between the two 

 herds, and try and drive the four into the ravine, and the 

 three towards our camp. This proceeding was carried 

 out as far as we were concerned. The herd of three 

 grazed its way quietly southwards ; the four went north- 

 westwards, also quietly at first. But presently they 



