TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 83 



her the error of such ways, restoring her to his 

 charmed circle again. On the outskirts of both well 

 guarded harems there were many likely looking young 

 bucks, who were kept at a respectful distance from 

 the does they admired so much by the flying charges 

 and battering onslaughts of each boss buck. To say 

 their lives were strenuous is to convey nothing. They 

 had no time to eat, or rest, or sleep. 



Then, by a hideous mischance the two parties of 

 aoul converged, and the strain was at breaking-point. 

 For the system of all things was disturbed, and worse 

 than all, the two old bucks met face to face. Now 

 fight they must for the mastery, or be shamed for ever 

 in the soft eyes of all their feminine kind. At it they 

 went, hammer and tongs, clawing with razor hoofs, 

 circling round each other, clashing, crashing. Mean- 

 while — but we all know what the mice do when the 

 cat's away ! And this golden moment was the young 

 bucks' opportunity. Every Jack found a Jill, and some 

 fortunate ones many Jills, and ran off promptly with 

 their loot. Then when the old bucks had fought till they 

 were dripping with foam and blood-flecked muzzles, 

 the one slightly the stronger would end the fray with a 

 terrific drive, and send his vanquished foe bellowing 

 back to — nothing. The harem had all eloped. 



One might lie and watch a herd of aoul for hours, 

 really in full view, and not cause them any great 

 anxiety. We never talked save in whispers, and it was 

 really amazing to see how very indifferent the creatures 

 grew to our presence. If they did take it into their 

 heads to feign alarm, remaining quite still seemed to 



