A TWELFTH ON THE EQUATOR 55. 



out, I pushed forward on the right, but only succeeded 

 in heading some jackals and small pig, besides seeing a 

 tawny-brown cat or lynx ; and, the country becoming 

 wooded, we got separated. Holding on alone, I presently 

 found myself on the same marsh where we had shot the 

 sing-sing that morning. Old spoor of three elephants 

 led alono' the edo-e of the vlei — it was the first I had 

 seen, and I was horrified by its size I — and several 

 waterbuck cows still awaited their lost lord. 



The hour being late, I resolved to remain awhile on 

 the chance of some stranoe animal emers-ing from the 

 great reedy fastness at sunset. The idea was vague, 

 but it had a concrete reward. Presently something did 

 appear, and the glass showed this to be a tawny-hued 

 antelope with strong recurved horns — a neio beast for 

 the second time this day I 



At 200 yards he stood, nothing more than a yellow 

 head and neck showing amidst contrasting green fiags. 

 I fired three shots with the "303 carbine, each aimed at an 

 unseen shoulder somewhere, I knew not precisely wdiere, 

 Ijeneath. All this time the buck stood statuescjue — as 

 it were, hypnotised. The fourth shot, directed at the 

 head itself, went true, striking below the eye with 

 instantly fatal result. Ehiii carried our prize ashore 

 from a foot of water — a lovely creature, the East-African 

 reedbuck [Cervicapra tvardi), quite new to me, and 

 the only specimen we obtained that year.^ 



This is a smaller animal than the common reedbuck 

 (which is not found in East Africa), its live-weight 

 probably not exceeding 80 or 90 lbs. ; the pelt is rougher 

 and more tawny than that of the larger species, and the 

 horns more abruj)tly hooked forwards. They measured 

 in this specimen 9j ins., by 6 ins. around the base. 

 This antelope has the broad, fan-like, fiirting tail with 



^ We have since found them quite numerously in suitable 

 localities, as is mentioned latei' in this book. The valley of the 

 Alabanyata, indeed — down which we had just travelled without 

 seeing a single reedbuck — abounded with these antelopes on our 

 next visit, eighteen months later. 



