A GEMS-BOK. 15 
during the ardency of the mid-day rays. On our 
arrival at this spot, we found that they had altogether 
deserted us, and were not afterwards to be found. 
We remained here during the night, forming our 
four waggons into a square, within which we enclosed 
the cattle, and encircling it with large fires to protect 
them from the lions. From the extremely rarefied 
state of the atmosphere, the stars shone with an 
extraordinary brilliancy, and the moon was exceed- 
ingly bright, as is usually the case in this quarter 
of the world. Our quiet was continually disturbed 
by the shrill cry of jackals and hyznas peeling 
about our encampment. 
As we proceeded on the following morning over a 
continuation of the same plain, which was here 
covered with coarse high grass and rushes, about the 
middle of the day, Jacobs suddenly stopping his 
Waggon, which was in advance, called out “ Gems- 
bok!’ I immediately took out my telescope, and 
saw a magnificent animal standing at some distance, 
gazing at our cavaleade. We instantly saddled our 
horses, and sent a Hottentot by a circuitous route 
to endeavour, if possible, to turn and drive it to- 
wards us. At first it bounded away with great 
speed; but on finding itself closely pursued, turned 
and rushed towards the Hottentot, who was con- 
siderably in advance of us. Leing now within a 
hundred yards of the animal, I alighted from my 
horse and fired, when it bent its neck between its 
