opening up of a doctrinal question before the minister.
Exactly in the same way Sebaii gravely tapped his box,
and handed it round. When he had no snuff he would
just as solemnly and naturally pick up a couple of pebbles,
and grind some loose tobacco into a powder, of which he
took a pinch and then held the rest out for the acceptance
of his companions.
In the present instance, a good deal of sneezing and hard
coughing followed the friendly pinch. The strangers gazed
at me with keen scrutinizing glances.
Sebaii then entered upon a protracted and eloquent
oration, which was followed by a long response from the
chief.
After I had presented the latter with a piece of cloth,
Karemba, who acted as intermediate spokesman, assumed a
lofty air as if it was the chief who in reality required
assistance, and not the chiefs rather dissimulating supplicants.
Karemba, too, made numerous promises saying
that if the chief would assist by sending boys to fetch my
baggage at once prompt remuneration would follow.
As was usual in all such cases there was a good deal of
argument. To my amazement the people proved friendly.
They were quite ready to go, but said they wanted meat.
Answering this request, I said that as soon as I saw them
leave I would go and hunt. They then informed us that
they knew a shorter way to the other camp than that by
which we had come, and would be back as soon as possible.
Greatly gratified with the success in this matter, I started
off to hunt in the best possible spirits.
Striking buffalo spoor, we tracked upon it for a considerable
distance. Suddenly Amenanza, who was my only
companion, pointed sharply to a small clump of trees, and
following the guidance of his hand I could distinguish a
VITALITY OF ANTELOPES. 171
moving object amid the copse. Creeping up and hugging
the ground as closely as possible, I soon, by a rapid peep
over the top of the grass, discerned the quarry—a fine sable
antelope bull (Hippotragus niger), with a magnificent head,
and beautiful sweeping horns.
Fortune was clearly favourable. I could not do better
than accept her offer; for were I not able to find buffalo, I
might have to face the disappointment of going back empty
handed to the camp, and with the knowledge that on the
return of the boys with John there would be no meat, and
consequently much delay.
Aware of the importance of success I took a very careful
aim, fired, and managed to bag the fine beast I had been
admiring.
With a few bounds Amenanza, looking like a gladiator,
was soon upon the spot endeavouring to extinguish life
with the assegai. But the vitality of these animals is
wonderful in its endurance. Expert as this man was with
his weapon, and although the shot had penetrated just
behind the shoulder—a little high—-it was some time before
the antelope died outright.
From marks upon the body it was evident that some
wild animal had attacked it. The quarters I found to
be very much marked by the claws of some beast of prey,
probably a leopard or lion. I soon was at work skinning
the carcase, and cutting the meat into loads that might be
conveniently carried. To skin and cut up so large an animal
quickly, is pretty hard work.
The boy who was with me was sent back to camp to tell
some of the people, who had assembled before we left, to
come and carry back the meat. The inducement was
effectual, for very soon a crowd of men arrived, surrounding
me and showing their eagerness for meat in a most urgent