258 ADVENTVRES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



the vultures, I rode to camp, and dispatched men with ' 

 instructions to flay him with the utmost oare. In the 

 afternoon I inspanned, intending to march, but contin- 

 ued showers of rain prevented me. Next day, how- 

 ever, Wv3 reached Lotlokane. 



As morning dawned on the 16th a lion roared to the 

 north within a quarter of a mile of us, and shortly after 

 two other lions moaned to the east. I rode in quest of 

 them with dogs and an after-rider. Hartebeests, ze- 

 bras, and pallahs were standing about in all directions, 

 and, leading my dogs away, I failed to find the lion. 

 In the forenoon, anxious to obtain a gemsbok, I sad'- 

 dled up mythree fleetest steeds, and rode in a north- 

 erly direction, with two after-riders, taking with me a 

 light single-barreled gun. I started several fine stein- 

 boks, which are here abundant. Having ridden a few 

 miles, I entered upon a magnificent level park, thickly 

 adorned with groves of thorn-trees, on which were graz- 

 ing large herds of blue wildebeests, zebras, hartebeests, 

 and springboks. Knowing that eland and gemsbok are 

 generally to be found in the vicinity of herds of other 

 game, I resolved to ride in a semicircle to windward of 

 these, and carefully examine the ground for the game 

 I sought. 



Having made a sweep for this purpose, we were 

 slowly returning, when four superb elands charged up 

 wind right in our faces. To these we instantly gave 

 chase. Booi, coming up first, singled out the heaviest 

 bull, which he broke from the troop, and drove toward 

 camp. Coming up with the remaining three, I select- 

 ed the best head, and, after a sharp chase, laid him low 

 with a single ball in the shoulder. I then rode to as- 

 sist Booi, who was about a quarter of a mile to wind- 

 ward on the plain below me ; and, coming up to him, 



