THE KUDU 121 



the maternal care, although I still feel doubtful 

 about it. Years have passed since the incident 

 occurred, but full well I remember the uncon- 

 cealable air of wondering disgust which flitted 

 across the hunters' faces when I not only uncon- 

 cealable, as it seemed to them, declined to hand 

 the bleating captive over to the cook, but 

 sternly required them, as they should answer 

 to me did they fail to do so, to replace it in the 

 haunts of the herd. 



I have in my possession one pair of kudu 

 horns 57 inches in length measured round the 

 curves, and these are thick and massive at the 

 base ; and although not anywhere approaching 

 a record, this measurement may nevertheless be 

 regarded as that of a good pair of horns, eminently 

 worthy of an honoured place upon the wall. 

 Of course bulls have been shot with horns more 

 than a foot longer round the curves than mine, 

 but these are naturally few and far between — 

 the result of those lucky encounters for which 

 so many of us have hoped in vain. 



The kudu has rarely been known to use his 

 magnificent defences except in combats with 

 foes of his own race. He is perfectly harmless, 

 and I have on several occasions seen my hunters 

 leap upon a wounded bull and bear him down, 

 holding the head by the horns in a convenient 

 position for the administration of the coup de 

 grace. I do not think any bribe would have 

 sufficed to induce them to pursue a like course 

 in the case of the sable, or of several other 

 antelopes with which I am acquainted. 



