SOUTHERN AFRICA. 217 



full pursuit of a wounded elephant, when a herd of unusu- 

 ally dark-looking" antelopes attracted observation inan adja- 

 cent valley. Reconnoitring* them through a pocket telescope 

 from the acclivity on which we stood, I at once exclaimed 

 that they were perfectly new to science j and having* an- 

 nounced my determination of pm'suing* them, if requisite, to 

 the world's end, I dashed down the slope, followed by the 

 derision of the Hottentots, for my unsportsman-like atten- 

 tion to an " ug-ly buck," 07ie specimen of which, however, I 

 assured them I would rather have possessed than all the 

 elephants in Africa ! In an instant I was in the middle of 

 the herd, which was then crossing* the valley — nine chesnut- 

 coloured does leading-, and two magnificent coal-black bucks 

 — all with scimetar-shaped horns— bringing- up the rear. 

 Hastily dismounting-, I was delig-hted to observe them stand 

 for a few seconds within fifty yards, and stare at me with 

 amazement. In vain was it, however, that I pulled the 

 trigger of my rifle ; three several times the heavy machinery 

 of the lock descended with alarming" vehemence, but no re- 

 port followed the concussion ; and the herd having* in the 

 meantime ascended a steep hill, I fairly rode my horse to a 

 stand in the attempt to overtake them. Cursing- my hard 

 fortune, as I dashed the hateful weapon to the g"round, I 

 hastened to the camp, to repair my broken rifle , armed with 

 which, and mounted on a fresh steed, I returned with my 

 companion to the spot j where, having" taken up the foot- 

 marks, we followed them, with unwearied perseverance, 

 among- the hills, during the whole of that and the following- 

 day, without attaining- even a glimpse of the objects of our 

 quest. At noon of the third day, however, peeping- cau- 

 tiously over a bank, our laudable assiduity was rewarded 



commissioned nearly two years before, but thanks to the sluggish agent 

 emi)]oyed they were dispatched by a ship which sailed into the harbour of 

 Bombay, as 1 was in the act of sailing out of it. 



