XXI 
AFRICAN ANTELOPES 
I9S 
without a rifle, a wounded bull tetel is followed into 
high grass, as it is difficult to kill upon the spot by 
throwing a spear. 
This is the only occasion upon which I have ever 
seen the tetel charge, but I do not doubt my 
informants, as they were thoroughly reliable. 
As a rule, I make a point of hamstringing every 
species of animal (except an elephant) immediately 
that it falls to the ground ; it is then safe. A slight 
drawing cut with a good hunting-knife will sever the 
tendon at once. Mahometans are very particular 
in performing the Khallahl before life is extinct. It 
is a difficult operation to cut the throat of a large 
beast armed with sharp horns, while it is struggling 
upon the ground, especially when the hide is thick 
and tough, as in the case of bull antelopes of the 
larger species. I once had a deplorable loss of one 
of the finest koodoos (A. strepsiceros) that I ever 
shot. This was lying upon the ground, shot a little 
too high, and as it struggled violently, my men, to 
one of whom I had given my hunting-knife, were 
afraid to seize it by the beautiful long horns. It was 
in vain that I endeavoured to hurry them, until 
losing patience, I laid my rifle on the ground, and 
was about to take the knife myself in spite of their 
religious prejudice, when the koodoo suddenly 
gained his feet and started off at full gallop into the 
thick bush, leaving my dilatory people stupefied and 
amazed at the disappearance of their beef. We never 
saw this animal again. 
The koodoo generally affords pretty shooting, 
