436 Great and Small Game of Africa 



be found day after day, whether it be a single old bull or a herd. For 

 this reason it is one of the few beasts, if seen and left undisturbed, from 

 its being perhaps at the time in a bad position for a stalk or some other 

 cause, that can be looked for again next day with almost a certainty of 

 finding it. The finest one I shot I found one day, but in such a position 

 that I could do nothing ; I returned for four consecutive days before I 

 could manage to get within what I considered, with such a grand beast, to 

 be a satisfactory range. I had at that time had a good deal of experience 

 with elands, so knew I was pretty safe in leaving it when I did, otherwise 

 I fear I should have risked a long shot and no doubt lost it. Since the 

 eland is now such a scarce beast, and is at all times a grand trophy to 

 possess, let the sportsman remember this rather uncommon trait, and I am 

 sure his patience and perseverance will meet with a well-merited reward. 



I am sorry I can give no dimensions, as I did not in those days keep a 

 record of measurements, but perhaps the following little story may give 

 some idea of size. On returning to Taveita, my headquarters, shortly after 

 killing the above-mentioned bull, I met Sir Robert Harvey, his brother, 

 Major C. Harvey, Sir John Willoughby, and Mr. H. C. V. Hunter, who had 

 been in the country some little time, but had not then had the luck to come 

 across any eland, excepting a cow which Sir John Willoughby had shot. 



I was naturally full of my eland when we all compared notes about our 

 doings since our last meeting, and I laid such stress on the size of the beast 

 that at last Major Harvey said, " But how big was it ; how did it compare 

 with a buffalo ? " to which I replied, " Well, a bull buffalo (they had all 

 shot several) isn't in it ! " The glances cast at each other across the table 

 and a slight movement of feet under it, which, however, did not escape 

 my notice, showed that they were sceptical, to say the least of it, so I said, 

 " Very well, I see you don't believe me. Wait till one of you shoots an 

 old blue bull." 



Some time afterwards Sir John Willoughby and Major Harvey went for 



