BIG GAME 65 



mistake of thinking that the beast is dead-beat and 

 done for. The energy and vitaUty of big game is 

 wonderful, and many a fine trophy has been lost 

 through the hunter being rash enough to approach 

 openly. 



Indeed, at times game takes a lot of killing, and 

 one wildebeest in the Portuguese country took no 

 less than a dozen '303 bullets to stop it; most of the 

 hits were in the right place, and the last two or 

 three were given as the author sprinted alongside the 

 wounded animal. 



Many cases of antelope going for 200 or 300 yards 

 could be recorded, in all instances being found dead 

 in their tracks, the shot having raked some vital part. 



Perhaps, however, the most interesting example, and 

 one that will be hardly believed and yet is true, is 

 that of a solitary wildebeest that was hit chest on 

 by a friend, and, though followed for many hours and 

 much blood found, got away. 



Some fortnight after the natives reported the return 

 of the old fellow to his haunt, and the author him- 

 self went over to verify the report, which was quite 

 true, and though the poor beast looked thin and weak, 

 he was perfectly well and took good care that no 

 one got within shot of him a second time. 



Howev:?r, no hard-and-fast rules can be laid down 

 on this matter, as it all depends where the animal is 

 hit and how badly, whether it is losing a lot of blood 

 or none at all, whether the country is open 01 forested. 



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