A Breath from the Veldt 65 



to me — is somewhat interesting, I shall endeavour to describe it as jotted down 

 at the time in my diary. 



Monday, z\th April. — A glorious morning as usual, and a really beautiful 

 scene, after all those monotonous hills of grass. The fine lake, some 300 

 feet below our waggon, is choked in the middle with dense reeds, but on 

 the open water are hundreds of Maccoa ducks {Erismature Maccoa), Muscovy 

 duck, crimson-billed teal {Dendrocygina ridjuatd). Cape shoveller [Spatula capensis), 

 and little divers, wading, swimming, or diving ; while along the margin 

 great long-horned cattle browse on the tender shoots of aquatic plants. The 

 wild-fowl bathed and fed quite close to me as I sat and watched them, and 

 so fascinating was the scene that I was quite sorry when Teenie called to me 

 from the house that young De Vet and his trained horse — a fine big, up- 

 standing animal — were waiting for me, along with a pony which I was to 

 ride. A ride of about half an hour brought us in sight of the main troop 

 of blessbuck, and when we got within 800 yards of them I dismounted and 

 began to approach them under cover of the horse, furnished only with headstall 

 and rein. Its admirable training was at once apparent. Catching sight of 

 the bucks the moment its head was directed towards them, it walked quietly 

 on towards the herd, stopping every now and then to feed, but moving on 

 again in the most unconcerned fashion when roused to a sense of its duty 

 by a dig in the ribs from my elbow. It seemed to know, too, when and when 

 not the stalker was properly covered whilst creeping under its flank or behind 

 its quarters. About a quarter of an hour elapsed ere we arrived within 200 

 yards of the quarry, when I turned the horse's head toward two bucks standing 

 nearest to me, at the risk of alarming some scattered animals on my left. 

 By slow degrees we got within 120 yards of the pair, both of which proved 

 to be old rams. Staring hard at the horse, they began to show signs of 

 suspicion, so I determined to take my shot at once, kneeling so that I could 

 just see over the grass, which was rather high at this spot. My bullet, I 

 fancy, went over the buck at which I fired, as he bounded off quite happy. 

 I then scrambled along to a large ant-hill and lay down, hoping he would 

 make another stand within range, as he presently did about 170 yards from 

 me. This time the bullet told loudly on his flank, and he at once separated 

 himself from the little bunch he had joined and moved slowly away, leaving 

 no doubt in my mind that I should get him when young De Vet came up 

 with the horses. In a few minutes both he and Teenie came up ; but to my 

 surprise, he refused to follow the wounded animal, insisting on our going after 



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