254 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



erly direction, and carefully sought for eland's sppor: 

 Presently I crossed the old Kuruman road, and imme- 

 diately discovered fresh spoor, similar to that of elands, 

 but, in my opinion, a little too large. In a buffalo coun- 

 try I should have at once pronounced it to be the spoor 

 of buffaloes, but these for many yesrs had not frequent- 

 ed the Meritsarte, &nd were not to be expected nearer 

 than the Molopo. Even in the days of Harris, twelve 

 years ago or upward, buffaloes had forsaken the Merit- 

 sane. As I rode on, the spoor became more abundant, 

 and very soon fresh dung disclosed to me that a very 

 large herd of buffaloes had lately pastured there. 



The spoor of zebras, blue wildebeests, hartebeests, 

 and sassaybies was extremely abundant, and of all these 

 I fell in with very considerable herds. I had resolved, 

 however, not to disturb the country, for fear of starting 

 any elands which might be there, and rode past, leav- 

 ing them unmolested. After proceeding for many miles, 

 I had the mortification to ascertain that only a Very few 

 elands now frequented these parts, and after a fruit- 

 less search for these few I turned my face for camp, 

 and resolved to fire into whatever game I might fall in' 

 with. I yached a large herd of blue wildebeests and a 

 herd of hartebeests, and was very unfortunate, wound- 

 ing several, but failing to secure one. This was to me 

 most particularly annoying, our flesh in camp being 

 completely exhausted, and my large pack of dogs fam- 

 ishing. I resolved, therefore, to march next morning 

 for Lotlokane, and hunt in advance of the wagons. 



The liext day I rode forth with one after-rider, re- 

 solved to do my best to supply the deficiency in camp. 

 [ directed the wagons to follow, and outspan at the 

 Plat Rocks, half way to Lotlokane. I had proceeded 

 out a short distance when I had the satisfaction to bo- 



