, giving a glance back as they did so,
with a cunning expression, as much as to say, "You'll not catch me this
time," and off they set.

The quaggas and gnus, however, soon after separated, going off in
different directions. As the ground appeared more favourable in the
direction the quaggas had taken, Rupert proposed that they should give
chase to them.

The two Kaffirs dashed over all impediments for the sake of turning the
herd and giving the gentlemen an opportunity of shooting some of them.
A cloud of dust marked their course. On the animals dashed at a
slashing pace, but very soon relaxed their efforts, as they are no match
for a horse. The two Kaffirs now appeared ahead of them, and shouting
and shrieking, drove them back towards Rupert and Crawford, who had
drawn up out of sight behind a clump of bushes. Both firing at the same
time, each brought down a quagga, and before the herd had recovered
sufficiently to go off in another direction, they had reloaded, and two
more lay struggling on the ground. Just then Crawford saw a young filly
which had missed its mother and got separated from the herd.

"I heard your sister Helen say she should so much like to have a young
quagga to try and tame it," exclaimed Crawford, riding up to the little
animal, which seemed in no way alarmed at the appearance of the horse,
but apparently mistaking it for its parent, trotted alongside.

"If you like, we'll endeavour to keep it between us till we can give it
in charge of one of the Kaffirs," said Rupert, coming up.

The little animal at first appeared perfectly contented with its new
companions, and galloped between them. Suddenly, however, finding that
it had made a mistake, it attempted to bolt; but Rupert, expecting this,
had prepared a noose at the end of his halter. Finding itself caught,
the filly made a most determined resistance, kicking, snapping its jaws,
in which not a tooth was to be seen, dashing round and round, and
hanging back with its whole weight, altogether exhibiting its ferocious
nature.

Fortunately the Kaffir soon came up, and applying his water bottle to
its lips, quickly brought it to a more amiable state of mind. Crawford
now stroked its back and spoke gently to it, till the little creature
appeared perfectly at its ease.

"I should so much like to keep the small animal alive, for I am sure it
would please your sister to have it, and I am afraid that the Kaffir
might not treat it properly,