52 



ON SAFARI 



one ear was bitten through — the result, no doubt, of the 

 fights that had gained him his numerous harem. Dead- 

 weight, as he lay, estimated at near 500 lbs. 



While ofF-skinning proceeded I strolled to some low 

 ridges beyond to survey the country. At first only 

 zebras and ostriches were in sight; but presently the 

 glasses rested on an animal that was quite new to me — 

 a great dark-red hartebeest standing beneath a shady 

 mimosa a mile away. He was a lone bull, bigger, redder 

 and with finer horn than any of his kind hitherto seen. 

 This was my first view of Bubalis jacJcsoni. Him we 

 at once proceeded to stalk. 



Again the range was long — sighted for 300 yards ; 

 yet so severe was the hit that for a full half-hour we 

 never doubted that this also was " our meat." Slowly 

 he moved, with frequent halts, but on, on . . . into the 

 low hills that closed the plain, taking ridge after ridge, 

 apparently recovering strength as time went on. Then, 

 on topping a crest, we "jumped" a second lone bull of 

 the same species, and by a bit of sujDerb field- craft gained 

 an advantage that within twenty minutes proved fatal to 

 the game. This hartebeest had dashed away, circling 

 round the rim of a saucer-shaped depression. Elmi, 

 inspired, plunged into this dip, directing our four " boys " 

 to remain standing in full view on the ridge behind. 

 Presently, as anticipated, our horned friend pulled up 

 and stood fixedly regarding those four harmless Swahili, 



