326 Great and Small Game of Africa 



will turn them, and if, after alarming them, the sportsman runs through the 

 bush to cut them off, they will pass within a few feet of him, merely 

 " putting on steam," bending lower to their work, and performing prodigies 

 of leaping. In October the ewes become very fat, and are most delicious 

 eating, but in very dry seasons they are much troubled with bot-fly larvs. 

 The young are born in November and December. During the rutting 

 season the rams constantly utter loud, hoarse guttural sounds, audible at a 

 great distance, day and night, and at such times are particularly easy to 

 stalk. They often fight fiercely amongst themselves. They utter a short 

 bark sometimes when alarmed, but their usual warning is a loud snort, 

 particularly when they sight a lion or leopard. 



They are easy animals to stalk, but are unquestionably more tenacious 

 of life than any of the smaller, if not the larger antelopes, and, unless hit in 

 a vital spot, will certainly be lost in the thick bush which they frequent. 

 I witnessed a striking incident when hunting one morning in the Matamiri. 

 I was endeavouring to stalk a big impala ram — one of a troop which stood 

 on the far side of an open glade — and as I approached them, another herd 

 ran out from my left into the glade and ranged themselves on the side of 

 it nearest to me. All were evidently intent upon something else, and 

 permitted me to approach within 20 yards. I put up my rifle, and was 

 trying to get a sight on the big ram, when a chorus of angry snorts and 

 barks broke from them, and two impala ewes bounded across the arena 

 between the two herds, followed closely by a beautiful leopard. The latter 

 pulled up in the middle of the glade, his painted flanks heaving heavily, 

 and his tail twitching angrily. The impala never moved, but with out- 

 stretched necks, and stamping feet, made a perfect din with their loud 

 snorts, till the report of my rifle, and the hoarse growling of the leopard as 

 he rolled over in his death-throes, sent them flying on winged feet in all 

 directions. 



An ordinary .450 bore rifle, firing modified express bullets with small 



