SPRINGBOK SHOOTING. 223 



animals have, however, been driven from their 

 ancient plains; and the springbok, steinbok, jackal, 

 and a few wild ostriches, alone remain. There is, 

 however, an abundance of game birds of various 

 kinds. Just as we shooters were about to retire, 

 three uncouth and very dirty Boers came in to see 

 our host on business. After their invariable custom, 

 they walked solemnly round, and placed their flabby 

 paws in everyone's hand, but without looking at one 

 or speaking ; they then sat down to a long and 

 desultory conversation, and as at that time our 

 knowledge of Boer Dutch was very limited, and the 

 visitors appeared far from interesting. Bob, I, and 

 Edgar shortly retired to rest, after looking to our 

 rifles and other impedimenta. At about three 

 o'clock we rose, dressed quickly, and stole quietly 

 out. It was the spring of the year, the air was keen 

 and frosty, for on the elevated karroo plateau frosts 

 are severe, and a dense mist hung over the veldt. 



Not a sound could be heard, not even the distant 

 bleat of a springbok, or cry of a jackal. Edgar, who 

 is accustomed to this sort of work, leads the way, 

 and we walk across the veldt for half-an-hour, as 

 briskly as the darkness, the unevenness of the ground, 

 and the rough heathy scrub would permit, stumbling 

 now and again as we go. Then our guide stops to 

 listen for a few moments. We resume our silent 

 march for another half-hour, when, having progressed 

 some four miles, we again halt. This time Edgar 

 whispers that he can hear the springbok, and again 

 we proceed with renewed caution. In another ten 

 minutes we stop again, and this time we can all 

 distinguish sounds to our front, and an occasional 

 bleat. 



