THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 55 



be pressed together on the ground without leaving any intervening 

 mark. The Eland still frequents the interior of the Kalahari, and 

 roams in herds in those portions which are inaccessible to the 

 hunter, except during a short period after rains. In all that large 

 belt of almost waterless country stretching from Reitfontein, on the 

 borders of Damaraland, to the old wagon road from Shoshong to the 

 Botletle, it is to-day common, seldom, however, approaching nearer 

 than twenty miles of the banks of that river. From a short distance 

 North of the Botletle, right up to the Chobe, and in the country 

 between the latter river and the Zambesi, it is also plentiful, but 

 in places difficult of access. In a few favoured districts of Matabele- 

 land, and particularly in Lobengula's own preserve, it can be found, 

 but is now almost driven out of Mashonaland. The Bushmen — for the 

 more ready discovery of the different edible roots on which, in the 

 absence of meat, they principally subsist — are in the habit during 

 the dry seasons of the year of burning off the long withered grass 

 from the surface of whole districts, which causes the Eland to 

 constantly wander to and fro in search of the young grass; and which, 

 unassisted by rain, in a very short time after such conflagrations 

 begins to sprout. In conjunction with this young grass and the 

 wild melon, the antelope derives a considerable amount of moisture. 

 Although it is an exceptional circumstance to find the bulls drinking 

 at the rivers or permanent vleys, the cows, however, when heavy in 

 young, constantly do so when possible, and it is to them a matter 

 almost of necessity when in such a condition to imbibe a more than 

 ordinary supply of liquid. The Eland is much more partial to 

 forest-clad rolling sand belts than to sparsely wooded open flats, and 

 may usually be found herding in the mopani bush, to the leaves 

 and young sprouts of which, like the Giraffe, it is extremely partial. 

 When excessively fat (which they generally are), this antelope on 

 being hunted on horseback, and if hard pressed from the start, will 

 get winded and tire rapidly ; but, on the other hand, when in poor 

 condition, and more especially in the case of the cows, they can 

 get along with most unexpected rapidity and endurance — in these 

 respects equalling if not excelling the efforts of the Gemsbuck. The 

 first symptoms shown by an Eland of being "pumped out" when 

 pursued is when it breaks from a gallop into the trot (see remarks on 

 Large Game, page 17). The flesh is greatly relished, and possesses 

 a large amount of fat, which is in the main absent from other ante 

 lopes. 



