26o 



UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN 



boulders of rock. Of a sudden the new-comer stopped, raised 

 its head, and sniffed the air. The next moment it rushed for- 

 ward with astonishing speed. The wind blew towards it, and 

 it must have scented, that a wounded animal was not far off. 

 The attention of the Grantii was attracted by the noise ; it 

 gave but one look, and seemed to know that now indeed it 

 was a race for life. 



It made for the open plain, the pursuer after it. The 

 pursuer gained steadily on it, when the Grantii doubled 



magnificently in the 

 very nick of time to 

 escape the fatal bite. 

 I believe, if it had 

 not been wounded 

 and somewhat tired 

 by my long pursuit, it 

 could have escaped. 

 But the pursuer 

 again drew nigh, and 

 though the Grantii 

 staved off the fatal 

 moment for a while 

 by skilful doubling, 

 it was seized at last 

 by the flank. Both 

 animals rolled over 

 and over. The Gran- 

 tii, having shaken it- 

 self free, once more 

 dashed across the 

 plain. But its minutes 

 were numbered, and this exciting pursuit ended in the Grantii 

 being torn down to the ground and lying helpless. 



Three of my Swahilies, who had accompanied me, declared 

 that only a lion could have captured the Grantii ; and I felt 

 inclined to think so too, as the scene took place in full, bright 

 daylight between eleven and twelve in the morning. I now 

 hastened down-hill to dispute with the lion, or whatever the 

 animal might be, the Grantii which I considered mine. At 

 the same time, there was the hope of bagging the other animal 

 as well. As I drew near, I saw that it was not a lion, but a 



grant's gazelle. 



