302 
WILD BLASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
endeavour to obtain some real coursing upon the 
open plain. 
We started. There was hardly a bush upon the 
wide expanse of level ground, as smooth as a billiard 
table; only two or three trees occupied this large 
area, and they were unhealthy specimens, which 
looked as though periodical inundations had dis¬ 
agreed with them. We arrived upon this great 
natural race-course, and the binoculars were at once 
in request to scan the distant surface in search of 
the desired game.* In a short time, as we advanced 
leisurely, constantly halting to take an observation, 
we discovered a considerable herd of about thirty or 
forty antelopes, among which there were two bucks 
perfectly black ; these were feeding upon the short 
young grass in the very centre of the open ground. 
The question arose, “ How in the world shall we get 
near them ? ” It was determined that our three 
horses should as much as possible conceal them¬ 
selves on the right side of the three carts, and that 
they should attempt the approach by moving in a 
circle, getting nearer and nearer to the herd, as the 
black-buck family might become less shy, and more 
accustomed to the appearance of the carts. This 
plan '^as cleverly carried out by the drivers, and in 
about twenty minutes we had, by circling and alter¬ 
nately advancing direct, got to within 300 yards’ 
distance. The herd was all together, as several times 
they had stopped feeding to gaze at our party, after 
which they had trotted off a little distance, and then 
closed up, as though for mutual protection, which 
