A Breath from the Veldt 295 



tracks of a big herd of roan antelope. They had evidently been close to us and 

 disturbed by the last shot, so we lost no time in following the spoor. It was 

 most exciting work, as, assuming a continuance of the burnt ground, we knew 

 that, bar accidents, we should have little difficulty in overtaking the herd. 

 Nor was our confidence misplaced. After spooring for about a quarter of a 

 mile we saw plainly that they had subsided into a walk. And now, enjoying, 

 as I always did, this phase of African hunting, I kept a sharp look-out ahead, 

 while my companion hurried along at a fast walk with his eyes fixed on the 

 ground. It was the easiest tracking imaginable, and a novice at the work, like 

 myself, could safely canter on such patent spoor. Every moment we knew by 

 the warm droppings of the animals that we were getting nearer to our prey ; 

 but by and by the bush got thick, and we were within fifty yards of the troop 

 before I saw them, moving like grey shadows and occasionally showing the 

 tint of their ruddy flanks and shining manes. Now, oh reader, for a dreadful 

 confession ! (and one is obliged to confess to one's book if to no one else). I 

 had been feeling seedy all day, and in fact for the past week ; but that did not 

 excuse the appalling series of misses to which I must plead guilty. During 

 the course of the ensuing hunt I had certainly five easy chances and three more 

 not quite so easy, but out of all these shots I don't believe I touched a single 

 hair ! Shooting standing, when you are hot and tired, is, even when the shot 

 is of the simplest description, not too easy a matter, and no one, unless he has 

 hunted in Africa or India, knows quite what it means. A miss after an easy 

 stalk, which in a cold climate would be inexcusable, becomes in time no matter 

 of surprise when it is effected after a long gallop in a blazing sun. The 

 shaking of the horse, the dodging under trees to avoid thorns, and the general 

 strain from the excitement of the chase (which is a very different thing from 

 buck fever) are all strongly against the rifle and in favour of the quarry. 

 Though my performance was about as bad as it could be, that of my companion 

 was not much better. He also had six shots without doing any damage ! A 

 complete " rot " seemed to have set in, but this I was past caring for ; what 

 annoyed me was that I had missed the chance of getting what I so much 

 wished for — a good roan bull's head. The troop consisted of about fifteen 

 animals, including two dear little calves that kept up well with their mothers ; 

 and among them were two good males, with apparently fine heads. My first 

 two shots, however, were fired by mistake at an old cow, for at the moment I 

 could not see a bull amongst the lot, and they were already beginning to move 

 away. Then commenced the usual end-on chase, varied by stoppages for the 



