126 CHASING THE OSTRICH. 



great plains, and for the first time were gratified with a 

 sight of those beautiful antelopes, known as springboks, 

 which are generally diffused throughout South Africa. 



The next morning, Mr. Barrill and I mounted our 

 horses, and as the wagons drove on, kept on the flanks, 

 looking out for a chance to chase the springbok. A herd 

 soon appeared, and away we fiew in chase. But after a 

 long run in pursuit of animals, and the expense of con- 

 siderable ammunition, we returned to the train without 

 the satisfaction of having even inflicted a wound. Next 

 day, however, we were more successful, and two fine 

 springboks rewarded a long and exciting chase. We con- 

 tinued to advance towards the interior, and soon left the 

 homes of the hunter Boers behind. Every day game 

 became more abundant, and I was absolutely overwhelmed 

 with astonishment at its variety. The large animal be- 

 tween the antelope and the cow, called the wildebeest, 

 was abundant. We shot two; but the meat was pro- 

 nounced decidedly inferior to that of the springbok. 



One day about noon, as we were going to encamp, we 

 caught sight of four ostriches, the first I had ever beheld. 

 Mr. Barrill and I were soon in full chase. These enormous 

 birds ran with amazing celerity, and after a very tire- 

 some ride we were compelled to yield ; they got away 

 unscathed. I was extremely disappointed, being so anx- 

 ious to secure some of the beautiful feathers of the ostrich. 



