THE TREK-BOKKE OF THE CAPE COLONY. 219 



drought, returning in time, no doubt, each to its particular haunts. I do 

 not think that there is any difference between the " Trek-bokke " and the 

 " Hou-bokke," except in the matter of weight, the Trek-bokke averaging 

 about 10 lb. to 15 lb. lighter. This difference in weight, however, is 

 probably accounted for by the quieter life of the-" Hou-bokke," for veld will 

 permanently support a few Bucks in good condition where a large number 

 would starve. I do not know whether there were " Hou-bokke " in the 

 earlier days. To-day the veld is never so eaten off and destroyed as when 

 the Bucks and other game were in such enormous numbers, so there is no 

 need for the few Bucks now left to migrate. But in the north-west of the 

 Colony, and in Great Namaqualand, they are evidently still to be found in 

 large numbers, and these, when a severe drought comes, trek into the Karoo 

 of the Colony in search of food. As I have said, these Bucks, when trek- 

 king down, do not travel fast ; but the old Dutch farmers, who should know 

 their habits well, say that when they return they travel at a great pace, even 

 as fast as one hundred miles a day. How true this is I cannot say ; it 

 cannot seem impossible to such as know the extraordinary fleetness and 

 staying power of these Antelopes. However considered, the Trek-bokken 

 are one of the most wonderful occurrences in a wonderful country. Yet it 

 is probable that the days of the very large treks are past, and that such a 

 sight as we saw in 1896 will never be seen again. 



[Mr. Cronwright-Schreiner informs us he has also sent this communi- 

 cation to the ' Cape Times'.' — Ed.] 



