118 AFKICAN NIMKODS. 



knew with what contempt their performances would 

 be looked upon, were they to show them amongst an 

 African field. Perhaps I may clear up this apparent 

 mystery if I relate what are considered the essentials 

 necessary to even mediocrity in this land of sport. 



It is absolutely necessary not only to be a good shot,, but 

 to be so after a sharp four-mile gallop, and from either 

 shoulder; to load as well while at full speed as when on 

 foot ; to be able to ride boldly across country, and allow 

 your horse to go down-hill at speed over the large stones 

 and with a loose rein ; to pull up, dismount, fire, and get 

 up again with a rapidity a monkey might envy; and 

 when an animal has been wounded and is out of sight, 

 to lean over your horse's shoulder, and follow the spoor 

 at a canter on the hard ground with the accuracy of a 

 hound ; and last and not least, to take care to fly clear 

 of your horse when he turns over in a jackal's or porcu- 

 pine's hole, instead of letting him come on you and 

 smash a few ribs. These and many other qualifications, 

 I have no doubt, most of my readers possess ; but there 

 may be some who do not, and who in consequence would 

 not stand A 1 in the far south. 



Many offers were made to me to go on elephant- 

 shooting trips into the interior with these men, who 

 purposed a journey during the next dry season : the 

 Boers' anecdotes gave a great impulse to my already 

 long-cherished wishes, but circumstances unavoidably 

 prevented this trip. 



When the Boers left my tent, I rolled myself up in 

 my blanket, and listened to the distant shrieks of the 



