THE RED SEA HILLS 
373 
limped, staggered, and struggled across a broad basin. 
For 500 yards he was in full view. Again and again he 
stumbled. Momentarily we watched for his collapse, but, 
alas! we never recovered him. The spoor beyond led 
clear enough for hundreds of yards ; then—just over the 
crest of a ridge—blood-sign stopped all at once. Not 
another speck could we pick up. Then we spread out in 
line, searching hill and hollow for half-a-mile ahead, but 
all in vain—ilothing could be seen. Thus my last shot 
of 1914 in Africa resulted in a melancholy disappointment. 
The finest specimen of the isabelline gazelle obtained 
by us in 1913-14 was shot near Sinkat by Mr Willoughby 
Lowe. Its horns measured iof inches and it is now in 
the British Museum. 
The extreme tenacity of life possessed by gazelles (and 
shared by antelopes) almost passes understanding. Many 
instances in point could be cited, but that such detail 
makes unpleasant reading. 
One incident, however, may be narrated. We were 
following up a wounded ariel, which being shot through 
the neck left a conspicuous blood-spoor. Presently we 
descried it stretched on the ground ahead—apparently 
dead, as, although its back was still upright, the head 
and neck lay extended and lifeless. Hard by, an eagle 
sat perched on a rock. This eagle we required for a 
specimen, and while Lowe prepared to stalk it, I crept 
up to the prostrate ariel. Lest it might be alarmed by 
the shot—to make assurance doubly sure, so to speak 
— I seized the ariel by the horns. For five seconds I 
thought it actually dead; then fear lent it new life and 
a desperate struggle ensued. Such was the strength 
evolved that I was dragged here and there and, though 
able to retain my hold, was glad enough when assistance 
arrived. This ariel was a buck, and would weigh about 
120 lb. I weigh less than 160 lb. myself! 
The following corroborates my own estimate of 
Hadendowa character. A high official of the Govern- 
