204 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
it been a red one, John told me, who thoroughly 
understands the language and customs of the Ma- 
tabele, all our Kaffirs would have fled, as that colour 
is symbolical of blood. 
6th .—Poor Jack is dead. I don’t know when I 
was so sorry for anything; he knew my voice and 
used to obey me like a dog, and would come to me 
when I called him. He was only sick about twelve 
hours, so quick in its effects is the fatal horse sickness. 
1th .—Moved our quarters to a cooler place under 
a huge rock, with some shady trees about; hunted all 
day, found a herd of blue wildebeests, and rushed 
down upon them savagely, having had no flesh for 
three days. We gave them four bullets instantly, 
every one telling, and, when the dust cleared away, 
one was down and two others wounded, which John 
and Swartz finished. I rode hard after the troop 
and made a good shot at the last, breaking his back 
200 yards off, thus bagging four in less than as 
many minutes. I killed a tsessebe, also going at 
his utmost speed, 216 measured yards off, and made 
an execrable shot at a roan antelope. I saw a re¬ 
markable goose on my way back to the wagons; had a 
cup of tea, fired off the bullet, put in a charge of shot, 
and went in pursuit of my goose, which I bagged. 
We had to send messengers again to Mosilikatse, 
and shall be detained another six or seven days. I 
sadly feel the want of books, as I have nothing in the 
world to do, and the days are by far too hot and 
enervating to do work of any kind. 
