y began to close in, shouting and shrieking at the top of their
voices. On we went, the semicircle gradually decreasing, till we were
within speaking distance of each other; and every mile we advanced the
animals appeared to grow thicker and thicker, and I could count a dozen
or more creatures of different species in sight at the same moment. Now
a herd of a dozen buffaloes, now twenty zebras and as many cameleopards
might be seen scampering over the plain, followed by numerous steinboks
or koodoos, graceful oryxes or hartbeests leaping and bounding away
before them. Now and then some of the animals would turn round and
charge their pursuers, who fled on either side, darting their spears and
often transfixing them. The zebras were amongst the most difficult to
drive in. They seemed aware of their danger, and now one, open-mouthed,
would charge at a hunter, who had to defend himself with his shield; and
then a whole herd would break away, and, dashing through the cordon,
gallop back to their native wilds. Still numbers were driven on.
Buffaloes and giraffes were flying together, all fancying that they were
escaping a common danger, while rushing on to destruction. At last the
hedges of the hopo were reached, and on the outer side numerous hunters
were stationed, shouting, and shrieking, and shaking their spears and
shields, still further to increase the confusion of the terror-stricken
animals. When any of them approached the hedge, a well-aimed spear was
planted in their sides, the cries of the stricken animals increasing the
terror of the rest. On pressed the hunters, driving the game closer and
closer together, till, pressed up in one dense mass, even the most wary
could no longer attempt to turn and fly. Fearful was the din of the
shrieks and shouts which rent the welkin. The leading animals dashed
madly forward, thinking to escape from their foes behind. The remainder
followed, unable to see over the heads of those in front, but hoping
that they had found a way to escape.

"By Igubo's advice, I had gone on the outside; for, in truth, the line
of hunters which pressed on through the hopo was exposed to no little
danger from the maddened beasts, which even now occasionally turning
round, dashed through them, and the greatest activity alone could have
saved the men from being trampled on by the terrified animals. Now a
huge buffalo would leap into the pit through the slender covering of
rushes; now a tall g