OFF FOR THE SOTIK DISTRICT. 
319 
The two elands secured were of a class known as the largest of 
the African antelopes, being ecjual in dimensions to a very large ox. 
A fine specimen of an adult bull eland will measure nearly six 
feet in height at the shoulders, and is more than proportionately 
ponderous in his build, being heavily burdened with fat as well as 
with flesh. Owing to this great weight of body, the eland is not so 
enduring as the generality of the antelopes, and can usually be ridden 
down without much trouble. Ordinarily, the chase of this animal 
is so simple a matter, that hunters generally contrive to drive it 
towards their encampment, and will not kill it until it has approached 
the wagon so closely that but little trouble is experienced in convey¬ 
ing its flesh and hide to their wheeled treasure-house. 
THE FLESH OF THE ELAND VERY TENDER. 
The flesh of the eland is peculiarly excellent; and as it possesses 
the valuable qualitv of being tender immediately after the animal is 
killed, it is highly appreciated in the interior of Africa. In some 
strange manner, the eland contrives to live for months together 
without drinking, and even when the herbage is so dry that it 
crumbles into powder in the hand the eland preserves its good condi¬ 
tion, and is, moreover, found to contain water in its stomach if 
opened. For its abstinence in liquids, the eland compensates by its 
ravenous appetite for solid food, and is so large a feeder that the 
expense of keeping the animal would be almost too great for any 
one who endeavored to domesticate the animal with any hope of 
profit. 
The color of the two elands was of a pale grayish-brown, and 
their horns were nearly straight, spirally twisted, and of consider¬ 
able size. 
Kermit Roosevelt also killed two very fine specimens of 
cheetahs. The cheetah, youze or hunting cat, as it is indifferently 
named, is rather a large animal, exceeding an ordinary leopard in 
stature. This superiority in size appears to be greater than it really 
is, on account of their long limbs, which give it the aspect of a very 
large animal. The head, however, is very small in proportion to 
its height, and the limbs, although very long, are slender, and devoid 
