ADVEXTUEES IX CAMP AND JUNGLE. 129 



travelling. Some were shy, others gave fair chances, but I 

 would not shoot. I hoped that by moving through the 

 others, without alarming them, I might be able to pass in rear 

 of the herd containing the white buck. As I afterwards 

 learnt, my friend had fallen in with him early in the day, 

 and had fired without success, and he was not again inclined 

 to allow himself to be approached. The country was quite 

 open and level ; and even had the ground been favourable, 

 the numberless deer scattered in all directions over the plain 

 destroyed all hope of stalking him. I dodged after him for 

 nearly a mile. I was far from home, and the sun was getting 

 low. The deer seemed to suspect that all was not right, and 

 I saw that my chance of a standing shot was small At that 

 moment some of the other deer took alarm at my horse, which 

 was led at a considerable distance behind the cart. They 

 trotted forward, and the white buck moved across my front 

 to join them. He was about 150 yards from me. Aiming 

 somewhat in front, I fired ; the buck reeled, and then went 

 off at a long trot My second barrel missed, but as he did 

 not increase his speed, I made sure I should get him unless 

 daylight failed me. With the aid of the glass I could make 

 out that he was shot through the body, but well forward. 

 Presently, to my great satisfaction, he halted and lay down 

 in a cotton-field. I waited for half-an-hour to allow the shot 

 to take effect, and then mounting, I rode straight at him. 

 He rose, and went off at a good pace. But I found I could 

 keep up with him. At length I succeeded in turning him. 

 and then I knew he was safe. He gave in soon after, and, 

 well pleased with the day's work, we turned homewards. 

 After going two or three miles, I directed my men to follow, 

 and, mounting my horse, rode off towards our camp. 1 had 

 not gone half-a-mile when I saw what seemed to me to be a 



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