OF THE DESERT 225 



time the beating line with the cart moved 

 carelessly on, not towards the animals, but 

 diagonally across them. This sent them 

 off; and by degrees they worked towards 

 my ambush. 



I, of course, could form no idea of what 

 was going on ; and had very nearly con- 

 cluded that the hindobitst had failed, when 

 I heard the rattling of stones, and the 

 animals filed past, the buck bringing up 

 the rear. I kept very quiet till he was 

 close ; and then, making sure of him with 

 my only No. 2 cartridge, I had a snap-shot 

 at the doe with my right (cylinder) barrel, 

 which was loaded with ball. She turned 

 a complete somersault to the shot, but 

 before I could get to her, was up and off 

 like the wind, after her offspring, which I 

 ought to have said before, was nearly as 



15 



