AN EXCITING SCENE. 



283 



was out of sight I could hear its deep guttural, 

 laughing bark, Wah ! wah ! vvah ! 



As I shoved in fresh cartridges I had a hope that 

 it would come across some of the Macalacas, and that 

 they would put an assegai or two through the ma- 

 rauder's glossy coat. No such luck took place ; that 

 famil}' know well how to take care of themselves, and 

 this one did not belie its race. 



However long it has taken me to tell this little 

 unexpected incident, it all transpired in less than half 

 a minute, and however exciting it was while it lasted, 

 it did not prevent me hearing the double report of 

 William's gun, so I turned to see what my gallant 

 driver was about. He was loading, and before him 

 lay a dead hartebeest, but beyond an exciting scene 

 was taking place. The game, which were now going 

 at their best pace, had swung round to the left, doubt- 

 less to get advantage of the wind, and so avoid 

 further unseen dangers ; the Massara was upon its 

 rear flanks, and was most recklessly plying a zebra 

 with assegais, although the brute kept momentarily 

 charging after him in the most savage manner. The 

 skill with which he avoided these, and the adroit way 

 that he handled his shield, was as perfect as the per- 

 formance of a crack party of tuleros playing with an 

 infuriated bull in one of sunny Andalusia's famous 

 arenas. But it was a dangerous game, and sundry 

 escapes appeared such narrow shaves that I thought 

 my plucky friend would be compelled to give up 

 his " checks," and acknowledge himself vanquished, 

 when back he returned further to excite the savage 

 beast. I almost swore at the fellow's recklessness ; but 

 what will these natives not do when they know 

 that the eyes of a white man are upon them ? 

 However, his rashness very nearly settled his account, 

 for the zebra, open mouthed, fairly coursed him for 

 upwards of fifty yards, the thin hide shield, several 

 times, apparently just in the nick of time, saving him 



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