CHAPTER VII. 



The Dutchman's stratagem Wild-boar hunt A vicious pigling Harte- 

 beest-chase Hide and seek The organ of " locality " Fatal curiosity 

 An escapade A false alarm Baboons at home A tame baboon The 

 baboon and the crow Literary and scientific tastes A leopard shot 

 Unpleasant journey Conflicting opinions. 



ON the third day we came across a troop of hartebeest, 

 which commenced galloping round us, taking care to 

 keep at a long distance from us. We tried one or two 

 rides at them, but failed in getting near enough for a 

 shot. They continued circling round us in a most tan- 

 talizing way for a long time, while we were taking shots 

 at from five to six hundred yards' distance. Suddenly 

 they started right away from us, and, by the straight line 

 which they kept, did not seem disposed to return. One 

 of the Dutchmen now told me to look out for a shot, and 

 at the same time he fired both barrels at a high elevation, so 

 that he sent the bullets over the heads of the troop of harte- 

 beest, which, striking the ground far on ahead of them, 

 sent up a cloud of dust. The result was at once seen ; 

 the troop, as they heard the whistle of the lead, and saw 

 the dust in front, darted here and there, and then, wheel- 

 ing round, came directly back to us. We fired a volley 

 at them ; but, as they were at least three hundred yards 

 from us, and were going at full speed, one only remained on 

 the ground ; another, however, was seen in difficulties, and 

 surrendered his stakes after a hard run of some six miles. 

 Towards evening, we had a brilliant affair with an old 

 wild boar (the vleck vark}, his wife, and children. 



