270 A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
of Cokes and Jackson’s. The one quality that 
distinguishes the appearance of all varieties of harte- 
beeste is a look of almost preternatural stupidity, an 
appearance to which his every action gives the lie 
direct. Nearly every newcomer says to himself as he 
takes his new rifle from its case : “ I will go and shoot 
a couple of those foolish-looking animals which are 
lolling about some 400 or 500 yards distant from the 
camp. The meat will be useful, and I want to try 
a couple of shots from this gun.” He strolls off, 
intending to walk within 150 yards, sit down and 
bag his brace. As he strolls in their direction they 
stroll off at the same pace. The novice then gets 
down on his stomach and taking advantage of every 
blade of cover, as he thinks, crawls perspiring but 
triumphant to an ant-hill which he has marked as 
being well within range of the herd. Cautiously he 
lifts his head to choose his unsuspecting victim at 
100 yards. Instead he sees at the same unvarying 
distance of some 500 yards the whole herd gazing 
fixedly in his direction. It ends by the angry and 
fruitless emptying of his magazine and the return to 
camp of a tired, angry, but wiser individual. At 
500 yards’ distance the herd resume grazing. At one 
time only is it possible, and indeed more than possible, 
to get within 50 yards of one of these foolish-looking 
animals. When some nobler quarry, such as an eland, 
is being stalked, one or more hartebeeste will cross the 
plain and plant themselves some 40 yards or so from 
the stalker, to whom they will shout opprobrious 
remarks, at the same time warning the eland of the 
approach of danger. In speed he is equally deceptive. 
Ungainly, not to say clumsy, in gait, he is fleet and 
untirable. Indeed, when the American lassooer, Mr. 
