344 ^ Breath from the Veldt 



any special remark. The blessbuck formerly had a more extended range tl 

 the black wildebeest, although, like it, occupying the open plains, and a 

 always found in close association with that animal and the springbuck. \ 

 herds formerly existed throughout the Orange Free State, Southern Transv; 

 and Southern Bechuanaland, but now their numbers are confined to such troi 

 as are preserved by the Boers north and south of the Vaal River. This bu 

 with the bontebuck (which stands about 3 feet 4 inches), is commo: 

 included in the family of gazelles, but in general appearance and formation i 

 more closely allied to the hartebeests. Like other gregarious animals, tl 

 are extremely shy, especially when the grass is short ; so they are by no me 

 easy to shoot. When alarmed, and a shot or two has been fired at them, if 1 

 animals have been feeding and are much scattered, they will instantly gat] 

 into small bunches and then join together, forming one large troop. From 1 

 small experience, once this big troop is formed, the animals are infinitely sh 

 than springbuck, and having lowered their heads and commenced to run \ 

 wind, they travel much greater distances and offer far fewer chances to 1 

 hunter than any of the other bucks of the plains. As stated in Chapter IL 

 differ from other writers in considering the springbuck a fleeter antelope tl 

 the blessbuck, since in former days the hunting dogs could not run down 1 

 latter animal, whereas the springbuck was a frequent victim. And I may i 

 that there are greyhounds to-day which can kill springbuck in a fair couri 

 but none have as yet proved sufficiently swift to catch the larger animal, 

 blessbuck's pace is a rolling, somewhat heavy canter, resembling the moveme 

 of the hartebeests, and when running up-wind the animal frequently moves, 

 does the springbuck, with its head close to the ground like a hound on scej 

 but if pressed it can upon occasion show great speed and energy. A typi 

 attitude of this buck and the springbuck when about to run is shown in 

 full-page electrogravure. 



Apropos of these illustrations, "Jan," said Oom Piet to me one day, "w 

 do you make of all those prints ? " I explained to the best of my ability 

 manner in which reproductions were made and a book completed. 



" And how much will you have to pay for a book like that you speak of 



" Oh ! " said I, " perhaps two or three pounds." 



" Almighty ! Are they all d — d fools in England ? Why, I could bu 

 good cow for that here." And with this remark the old man toddled off 

 look after his lambs, leaving the prospective author to lament the loss c 

 subscriber and full of painful reflections. 



