270 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



of Coke's and Jackson's. The one quality that 

 distinguishes the appearance of all varieties of harte- 

 beeste is a look of almost preternatural stupidity, an 

 appearance to which his every action gives the lie 

 direct. Nearly every newcomer says to himself as he 

 takes his new rifle from its case : " I will go and shoot 

 a couple of those foolish-looking animals which are 

 lolling about some 400 or 500 yards distant from the 

 camp. The meat will be useful, and I want to try 

 a couple of shots from this gun." He strolls off, 

 intending to walk within 150 yards, sit down and 

 bag his brace. As he strolls in their direction they 

 stroll off at the same pace. The novice then gets 

 down on his stomach and taking advantage of every 

 blade of cover, as he thinks, crawls perspiring but 

 triumphant to an ant-hill which he has marked as 

 being well within range of the herd. Cautiously he 

 lifts his head to choose his unsuspecting victim at 

 100 yards. Instead he sees at the same unvarying 

 distance of some 500 yards the whole herd gazing 

 fixedly in his direction. It ends by the angry and 

 fruitless emptying of his magazine and the return to 

 camp of a tired, angry, but wiser individual. At 

 500 yards' distance the herd resume grazing. At one 

 time only is it possible, and indeed more than possible, 

 to get within 50 yards of one of these foolish-looking 

 animals. When some nobler quarry, such as an eland, 

 is being stalked, one or more hartebeeste will cross the 

 plain and plant themselves some 40 yards or so from 

 the stalker, to whom they will shout opprobrious 

 remarks, at the same time warning the eland of the 

 approach of danger. In speed he is equally deceptive. 

 Ungainly, not to say clumsy, in gait, he is fleet and 

 untirable. Indeed, when the American lassooer, Mr. 



