ROOSEVELT’S EXPERIENCE IN THE JUNGLE. 149 
They live in large herds on the great plains. When first 
alarmed, like a restive horse, tossing their heads and tails, and but¬ 
ting at the mole-hills, or any other object that might be in their 
way; but immediately after, off they start, traversing the ground 
with a speed which soon carries them beyond the reach of danger. 
They do not run in a confused crowd, like sheep or oxen, but in 
single file, following the leader, and exhibiting an agreeable regu¬ 
larity as they bound over the plains. 
''When hunted they will turn upon the hunter, and pursue 
him, dropping on their knees before making an attack, and then 
darting forward with amazing alacrity and force. 
WONDERFUL ANTIPATHY TO SCARLET. 
"In common with the ox and buffalo,’’ says Captain Harris, 
"the gnu has an unconquerable aversion to scarlet—pawing the 
earth and becoming perfectly furious on the sudden display of that 
color. In situations where these whimsical animals had been ren¬ 
dered more than usually wild by the incessant persecutions of the 
border colonists, I frequently found it requisite, in order to allure 
the herd within range, to hoist a red pocket handkerchief upon the 
muzzle of my rifle. 
"This exhibition invariably produced the most violent tumult 
and excitement, and caused the whole troop to charge past in single 
file—'with mane erect and blazing eye’—following their leader, 
flinging out their taper heels, whisking their streaming tails, but¬ 
ting with their horns in so menacing a manner, and displaying emo¬ 
tions of such violent frenzy, that I was fain to strike my colors and 
have recourse to my weapons—when they instantly whirled and 
pranced confidently round at a safer distance, headed by their 
swarthy chief.” 
It was by means of this exhibition of scarlet, the scent of which 
Mr. Selous revealed to the American, that Col. Roosevelt’s first 
game in Africa was enticed within reach of his death-dealing rifle. 
While game was plentiful on the plain, it was exceedingly 
wise and wary. The fame of the Colonel seemed almost to have 
reached the animal kingdom, for no sooner did he appear, rifle in 
