Page 85 - Adventures in Africa

separating the two colours. As far as the eye could
reach, the whole country seemed alive with them,—
not only the plain but the hill-side, along which they

bounded with graceful leaps*
Our guests on the previous evening had disappeared,
but they quickly came back with a large party of their
tribe, and gave us to understand that they could not

escort us down to the river for the present, as they
must set out to attack the springboks, and hoped that

we would accompany them.
This my uncle and I at once agreed to do, and,
supplying ourselves with a good stock of ammunition,
we set Off with the first party that started. Our

friends led us at a rapid rate over the hills by a short
cut, so that we might intercept the animals, as they
passed through the mountains. Another party, we

found, remained behind, to drive them through, or
prevent them turning back when frightened by our
presence. We were only just in time, for already the

leaders of the herd had made their appearance. As
we approached the mouth of the gorge, while some of
the hunters rushed up the hills, and stationed them­

selves on either side, so as to dart their javelins at the
passing deer, others took post at the mouth of the
gorge* thus preventing the egress of the animals,

without coming within range of their weapons.
Now a scene of slaughter commenced such as I
have seldom witnessed. The leaders of the herd

turned to retreat, but were met by the party who had
remained on the other side shrieking and shouting,
and knocking the handles of their spears against

their shields, Some of the animals tried to escape