THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



the territories of Zambesia, game could scarcely have decreased 

 with such rapidity in the Interior had not a short-sighted Govern- 

 ment at the Cape permitted the indiscriminate importation of the 

 most approved and highly accurate patterns of modern breech- 

 loading rifles, and the distribution of vast supplies of ammunition 

 amongst the different native tribes. Although the present authori- 

 ties have at last set their foot on this — in every respect — pernicious 

 system, yet, in spite of the vigilance of the Bechuanaland Border 

 Police, guns and ammunition are still being conveyed across the 

 border from the Transvaal into Linchwe's country, and the effect 

 of the previous weak line of policy remains to be deplored. The 

 different Bechuana tribes, when on their hunting forays, and pos- 

 sessing weapons of great accuracy, spare nothing in the way of 

 game, and old animals as well as their immature offspring equally 

 fell victims to their remorseless bullets. The prodigies of slaughter 

 may be conceived when it is stated on reliable authority that nearly 

 three hundred Giraffes have during the past two years been exter- 

 minated in the 'Ngami country merely for the sake of their hides. 

 It would, however, be unfair to leave the entire blame for this 

 deplorable state of affairs on the shoulders of the aborigines, when 

 it is to be remembered that prior to Sir Charles Warren's expedi- 

 tion for the pacification of the " Land of Goschen," and the re- 

 moval of the encroaching Boers from the Rooi Grond, thousands of 

 Springbuck, large troops of Blessbuck, and numerous Hartebeest 

 and Wildebeest roamed on the vast plains of the country now known 

 as British Bechuanaland. Warren's victory was achieved blood- 

 lessly, so far as human life was concerned, but his advancing 

 squadrons of mounted infantry found plenty of use for their cart- 

 ridges, and other targets for a mark besides the bodies of the 

 offending filibusters ; and at the present time the presence of a 

 single Springbuck, not to speak of larger game, within the boun- 

 daries of one of the most recent acquisitions to British territory 

 would be looked upon as an event worthy of record. 



Although the voor-trekkers (pioneers) of the South African Re- 

 public have well deserved the unenviable notoriety accorded them 

 of being, equally with the natives, the most ruthless of game de- 

 stroyers, they now take special precautions to carry on their depre- 

 dations outside the limits of their own country; and it will appear 

 strange to the sport-loving Englishman when he is informed 

 that nowhere in the settled and civilised portions of South Africa 



