A Breath from the Veldt 23 



prettiest and most desirable that a hunter can possess, as they recall with 

 pleasure many a hard gallop and many a cartridge-case left behind on the Great 

 Karroo. The horns of the male are said to average 1 2^ inches along the curve, 

 only some few exceeding that. Out of ten animals, of which eight were 

 males, which I killed at Beaufort West and in the Free State, only one old 

 ram overtopped this, showing 14 inches of horn, outside measurement. Two 

 which I brought home as curiosities measured 14! and 15-I inches respectively. 

 They were both killed by Dr. Maloney, the most constant and successful 

 springbuck shooter of Beaufort West. The horns of the latter animal are the 

 finest I have seen, measuring 6^ inches round the base ; they are, moreover, 

 beautifully curved in at the tops. 



The hunting of the springbuck is still carried on much as it has always 

 been — that is to say, by means of a properly-worked chain of hunting-carts or 

 mounted horsemen stretched across the "veldt" at intervals of 1000 to 1700 

 yards apart, and acting under the guidance of an old hand, who generally 

 occupies the centre, and gives directions as to the line to be observed on any 

 sudden change of position. This is a custom not to be seen in any other part 

 of the world, and one of the few methods by which a party of rifle-shooters 

 can work together in harmony without any chance of spoiling each other's 

 sport, or giving rise to petty jealousies. One man has just as good a chance 

 as another, and if the game be properly played and the line well kept, each 

 and every shooter will get good sport, should he only kill his one buck in 

 the day. 



M'^-ro6 WAftyot 



