A HERD OF ELANDS. 119 





jackal and laugh of the hyaena, while many other strange 

 noises in the distance excited my curiosity. 



I slept and dreamed not. 



The cold air, just before daybreak, penetrating my 

 blanket, awakened me, and I heard the Dutchmen and 

 Hottentots conversing near, and was soon up and enjoy- 

 ing a cup of steaming hot coffee, with some beef and 

 biscuit. 



The morning sun was just showing its rays above the 

 horizon, and the fogs were rising up the mountains, when 

 we were once more in the saddle. 



When we had ridden for nearly an hour, we suddenly 

 saw, in a valley beneath us, an enormous herd of elands : 

 they were scattered about grazing like cattle. The Boers' 

 plans were immediately taken, and it was arranged that 

 some of the party should ride at a distance, keeping out 

 of sight, and show themselves on the opposite side, so as 

 to drive the herd towards the waggons. 



Some of the party managed this business, while I and 

 two of the Boers waited under the hill until the elands 

 should come past us. 



After waiting some time, we could see the look-out 

 eland get the alarm; he twisted round, swung his tail 

 about, and trotted down to the main body, who soon left 

 off feeding, collected together, and started off in their 

 long trot, advancing in our direction. I admired the 

 Boers' arrangements, everything was so ably planned. 

 Suddenly the leading bulls of the herd seemed to smell 

 danger in our neighbourhood, and swerved to the right ; 

 I was afraid they were getting away from us, but Kemp, 



