Page 143 - Adventures in Africa

tall grass, we made our way in the direction we had
seen the deer. As we got nearer Harry pronounced

them to be eurebis. W e were afraid that we should
have no chance of getting within shot, for we saw
them gliding rapidly along, often bounding several

feet into the air, then galloping on again, and once
more bounding on,
“1 11 try a dodge T once saw practised," whispered

Harry. “ Do you lie down with your rifle ready to
fire behind yonder bush, and I'll go forward and show
myself. They have a good deal of curiosity in their

nature, and I'll try to excite it/'
He then placed his rifle and coat and hat on the

ground, and creeping a little forward, to one side of
where I lay, he suddenly rose with his feet in the air,
supporting himself on his hands. IIow he could

manage to maintain that position so long surprised
me. I should have had the blood rush into my head
and dropped down in a minute had I made the

attempt.
All the time I was watching the ourebis; which,
no longer leaping about, remained quiet for some

seconds, and then with slow and stately steps ad­
vanced towards the curious object, I had time to
examine them minutely. Their colour was a pale

tawny above, and white below. The horns straight
and pointed, and, as far as I could judge, five inches
in length. The animal itself is of no great height,

standing not more than two feet from the ground,
though when it lifts up its head it looks much taller.
The female of the pair which approached was hornless.

On they came, closer and closer. [ was afraid that