174 LARGE GAME. chap. hi. 



before he gave way, two of which struck him, while 

 another hit a cow just beyond him in the stern, making it 

 rear up and climb on to those in front. As soon as I 

 saw that he had separated, I wheeled my horse sharp 

 round, the cruelly severe curb in general use for this 

 work giving me great command over it, and in a few 

 strides I laid it alongside of him, and almost putting the 

 muzzle of the rifle to the beast's shoulder, I dropt him, 

 shot through and through. I then turned to the cow I 

 had wounded, and which had gone off in another direc- 

 tion, and although I overtook her in about ten minutes, 

 it took me so long to finish her, that by the time she fell, 

 I found that the others were far ahead and out of sight, 

 though I could still hear R.'s rifle cracking at in- 

 tervals. 



Of course I followed at full speed, but two falls I got 

 from concealed holes stopped me a good bit, and they 

 were past the opening into the plain and well up the 

 valley before I even got into sight again. On my way I 

 passed two eland that R. had wounded ; but as they 

 seemed quite done up I rode on, desirous of getting up in 

 time for another shot before they reached the head of the 

 glen ; but, while I was still several hundred yards behind, 

 I saw R. ride right into them, and the great herd, sepa- 

 rating into fifty parts, made for every point where egress 

 seemed possible, not a single one however turning back. 

 I rammed the spurs in savagely, but my horse was 

 tired, and before I could come within certain range, 

 all had made their escape ; and despite the shouting of 

 the men stationed in front, trotted unmoved close past 

 them. 



