out horns, but is in other respects similar to the
male. These beautiful animals do not inhabit the
plains like the other varieties of antelopes, but are
generally found in deep wooded ravines. Tn South
Africa it is known as the koodoo.
The aggageers quickly flayed and quartered the
game, which was arranged upon the horses, and thus
it was carried to our camp, at which we arrived
late in the evening.
On the following morning, at my usual hour of
starting, a little before sunrise, we crossed a deep
portion of the river, through which the horses were
obliged to swim ; on this occasion I. rode Aggahr, who
was my best hunter. In that very charming and useful
book by Mr. Francis Galton, | The Art of Travel,”
advice is given for crossing a deep river, by holding
to the tail of the swimming horse :—in this I cannot
agree; the safety of the man is much endangered
by the heels of the horse, and his security .depends
upon the length of the animal’s tail. In rivers
abounding in crocodiles, which generally follow an
animal before they seize, the man hanging on to the
tail of the horse is a most alluring bait, and he
would certainly be taken, should one of these horrible
monsters be attracted to the party. I have
always found great comfort in crossing a river by
simply holding to the mane, just in front of the
saddle, with my left hand, with the bridle grasped
as loosely as possible, so that the horse does not feel
the bit; in this position on the off side, the animal
does not feel any hindrance ; the man not only can
direct his horse, but his presence gives it confidence,
as he can speak to it coaxingly while swimming
with one arm by its side. Upon landing, he at once
controls the horse by the reins within his left grasp.
Many horses become exceedingly scared in swimming
a rapid river, and will frequently lose their
presence of mind, and swim with the current, in which
case they may miss the favourable landing place; if
the man holds by the tail, he has no control over
the horse upon landing, and, if wild or vicious, the
animal will probably kick up its heels and bolt away,
leaving the unfortunate proprietor -helpless. In swimming
a river with the horse, the powder, &c. should
be made into a parcel with your outer garment, and
tied upon the head ; then lead your horse gently
into the water, and for a moment allow it to drink,
to prevent all shyness; continue to lead it until you
lose your depth, when, by holding with your left
hand to the mane, both horse and man will cross
with perfect ease.
We had crossed the river, and, as we passed
through an opening in the belt of jungle on the banks,
and entered upon a plain interspersed with clumps
of bush, we perceived, at about two hundred yards
distance, a magnificent lion, whose shaggy yellow
mane gave him a colossal appearance, as he stalked
quietly along the flat sandy ground towards the
place of his daily retreat. The aggageers whispered,
“ El Assut! ” (the lion), and instinctively the swords