210 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA, 



which I wounded and immediately lost in rooky ground. 

 I then rode on, and crossed a ridge of stony hills cov- 

 ered with thick jungle, after which I entered upon an- 

 other grassy and well-wooded valley. Presently I ob- 

 served seven majestic buck koodoos standing on the 

 mountain side high above me. In trying to stalk these 

 I disturbed a troop of graceful pallahs and a herd of 

 zebras, which clattered along the mountain, and spoiled 

 my stalk with the koodoos. I now observed a large 

 herd of buflfaloes reclining under a clump of mimosa- 

 trees a little further up the valley. Descending from 

 my position, I secured my horse to a tree, and proceed- 

 ed to stalk in on the buffaloes. While I was doing this, 

 a herd of zebras, which I had not observed, got my wind 

 and came cantering through the cover within a few 

 yards of me. When I reached the spot where I had 

 seen the buffaloes, they were gone. 



Early on the 4th we inspanned and continued our 

 march for Booby, a large party of savages still follow- 

 ing the wagons. Before proceeding far I was tempted 

 by the beautifal appearance of the country to saddle 

 horses to hunt in the mountains westward of my course. 

 I directed the wagons to proceed a few miles under 

 guidance of the natives, and there await my arrival. I 

 was accompanied by Isaac, who was mounted on the 

 Old Gray, and carried my clumsy Dutch rifle of six to 

 the pound. Two Bechuanas followed us, leading four 

 of my dogs. Having crossed a well- wooded strath, we 

 reached a little crystal river, whose margin was tram- 

 pled down with the spoor of a great variety of heavy 

 game, but especially of buffalo and rhinoceros. We 

 took up the spoor of a troop of buffaloes, which we fol- 

 'owed along a path made by the heavy beasts of the 

 forest through a neck in the hills ; and, emerging from 



