THE RED SEA HILLS 373 



limped, staggered, and struggled across a broad basin. 

 For 500 yards he was in full view. Again and again he 

 stumbled. Momentarily we watched for his collapse, but, 

 alas! we never recovered him. The spoor beyond led 

 clear enough for hundreds of yards ; then just over the 

 crest of a ridge blood-sign stopped all at once. Not 

 another speck could we pick up. Then we spread out in 

 line, searching hill and hollow for half-a-mile ahead, but 

 all in vain nothing could be seen. Thus my last shot 

 of 1914 in Africa resulted in a melancholy disappointment. 



The finest specimen of the isabelline gazelle obtained 

 by us in 1913-14 was shot near Sinkat by Mr Willoughby 

 Lowe. Its horns measured icf inches and it is now in 

 the British Museum. 



The extreme tenacity of life possessed by gazelles (and 

 shared by antelopes) almost passes understanding. Many 

 instances in point could be cited, but that such detail 

 makes unpleasant reading. 



One incident, however, may be narrated. We were 

 following up a wounded ariel, which being shot through 

 the neck left a conspicuous blood-spoor. Presently we 

 descried it stretched on the ground ahead apparently 

 dead, as, although its back was still upright, the head 

 and neck lay extended and lifeless. Hard by, an eagle 

 sat perched on a rock. This eagle we required for a 

 specimen, and while Lowe prepared to stalk it, I crept 

 up to the prostrate ariel. Lest it might be alarmed by 

 the shot to make assurance doubly sure, so to speak 

 I seized the ariel by the horns. For five seconds I 

 thought it actually dead ; then fear lent it new life and 

 a desperate struggle ensued. Such was the strength 

 evolved that I was dragged here and there and, though 

 able to retain my hold, was glad enough when assistance 

 arrived. This ariel was a buck, and would weigh about 

 1 20 Ib. I weigh less than 160 Ib. myself! 



The following corroborates my own estimate of 

 Hadendowa character. A high official of the Govern- 



