90 A STRANGE ANIMAL. 



other to me, " Oh ! if I had had my gun the other day, 

 I would have shot so and so." In time, also, the gun be- 

 comes no more troublesome to carry than a walking-stick. 



I can mention many instances with regard to myself, 

 where, not thinking it at all probable that I should see 

 anything worth shooting, I left my gun at home. I have 

 then had some teasing buck jump up in front of me, and 

 stand looking for half a minute, as if quizzing me, at 

 perhaps forty yards' distance, and then quietly canter off. 

 " Oh ! if I had my gun," I moodily exclaimed. At last, 

 I was rarely seen without it. " Going out shooting ? " 

 was often asked me from this circumstance. " No ; only 

 for a walk, or a bathe," I would answer. " Why have 

 you your weapon, then?" was generally considered 

 a cutting remark. Many a small pair of pointed horns, 

 and many skins, would have answered the "why." I gene- 

 rally came across something without looking for it. 



The greatest annoyance that I met with from not having 

 a gun was when riding one day, with an officer of the com- 

 missariat, on the beach between the Umganie and Natal 

 Bay. I remarked some curious footprints on the sand, 

 and dismounted to see what they were. I could not 

 identify them, although I was well acquainted with most 

 South- African trails. My friend called my attention to 

 their impressions all along the sand, and far on ahead. 

 As we looked in advance, we saw a large black object 

 moving nearly half a mile before us. We started off imme- 

 diately in chase, and soon neared it. I then saw that it was 

 covered with long fur, had short legs in front, and a kind 

 of finny organ behind. It appeared about ten feet long. 

 Immediately it heard us galloping, it made for the water. 



