56 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP, v 



and made him adopt more cautious tactics. He 

 tried his utmost to work round to the animal's 

 flank, but the wily old hartebeeste was too artful for 

 this, and wherever Abbudi went he always found the 

 head of the kongoni facing him; indeed, once or 

 twice the latter made one or two sharp charges 

 which caused Abbudi to take nimbly to his heels. 

 Eventually the poor hartebeeste seemed suddenly 

 to get very weak and tottered to his knees, still 

 facing his enemy. This happened just at the 

 moment I came up, intending to give him a finishing 

 shot. Abbudi, however, instantly saw his chance, and 

 the long bright blade of his spear shot suddenly out 

 and appeared to go through the beast as easily as if 

 he had been made of butter. The thrust evidently 

 pierced the heart, for without another struggle the 

 gallant old kongoni turned over with a groan, gave 

 a couple of tremors, rolled up his eyes and remained 

 quite still. 



It always makes me feel unhappy to see a beast die, 

 especially if he has made a good fight for his life, as 

 this one did. Of course, if the animal is killed out- 

 right at the first shot, he is dead before he can 

 realize what is happening, and can feel little or no 

 pain. If, however, the shot merely breaks a leg 

 and the animal goes off limping, all my sympathy 

 is aroused, and I am not easy in my mind again until 

 the poor beast has been put out of its misery. 



