116 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



making their way in a long, wedge-shaped flight, towards the 

 cultivated country. Our camp was in their line, and they 

 passed over our heads, uttering their usual wild cry. 



Thinking that something might be done with them, I 

 loaded a gun with BB, and placed it at the head of my bed. 

 Next morning I was awakened by the cries of the coolen 

 approaching, and, taking my gun, I sat up in bed and waited 

 for them. Presently they appeared coming on in a long 

 line over my head ; when I fired right and left, and brought 

 down a brace of fine birds. I tried to do the same on subse- 

 quent mornings, but the birds had become shy, and avoided 

 the line of our camp. 



A remarkable shot which I made at an antelope from the 

 saddle is perhaps worthy of record. 



In company with a friend, I was riding across country to 

 a new camping ground, when I saw a herd of fifteen or twenty 

 does and one black buck. We had no shooting-cart with us, 

 but our rifles were carried by attendants. I rode up to within 

 fair shooting distance, and dismounting, fired at the buck, 

 and missed him. The herd made off, but halted after going a 

 few hundred yards. I had reloaded, and again mounting, 

 I moved towards them. They were, however, scared, and 

 bounded away. I put my horse into a canter, and followed 

 for a short distance, when I halted, hoping that the deer, as 

 they often do, would stand and give me another chance. But 

 they kept on, and I again cantered after them ; but as they 

 were evidently not inclined to stand, and were taking me 

 away from the direction in which I wished to travel, I drew 

 up my horse, and fired a random shot from the saddle at the 

 retreating herd. They were all going at fair speed, and at the 

 moment I fired they were 250 or 300 yards from me. Much 

 to my astonishment the only buck which was in the herd fell 



