start to put his horse at full speed. On we dashed, the hartbeests
going away directly from the camp. They kept close together, somewhat
impeding each other. They were now thoroughly alarmed, and away they
went at a speed which it at first appeared would make it utterly
impossible for us to come up with them. Not so, however, thought
Stanley and Donald Fraser. Our horses seemed to enter into our wishes,
and exerted themselves to the utmost. On kept the herd, throwing the
dust up behind them, which rose in the air like clouds of smoke. After
an hour's flight they began to slacken their speed, while our horses,
urged on by our spurs, redoubled theirs. At last we got within a
hundred yards of the hard-pressed herd. Stanley quickly threw himself
from his horse, and firing, a fine buck flew up into the air; and the
next moment, parting from the main body of the herd, darted off to the
right; while Donald, aiming at another animal, brought it to the ground.
I fired directly afterwards; but so excited had I become by the chase
and ride, that I suspect my bullet flew over the heads of the animals.

"Mount and ride after that fellow, Andrew!" exclaimed Stanley, pointing
to the hartbeest he had wounded.

I did as he directed me, while he and Donald Fraser, throwing themselves
on their horses, again made chase after the herd. The wounded animal
fled away by itself, and though evidently, by the flow of blood from its
side, severely hurt, it yet continued springing forward at a rapid rate.
Determined not to let it go, I urged on my horse in pursuit. At
length, greatly to my satisfaction, for my horse was nearly done up,
over the hartbeest rolled; and, springing from my saddle, I put an end
to its sufferings. When I looked round, neither the herd nor my
companions were to be seen. A long chase in that hot sun had made me
very thirsty, and not a drop of water had I with me. I was hungry too,
for I had only just begun my breakfast; though, if content to eat raw
meat, I had the means of satisfying my appetite. The animal was so
heavy that I could not lift it on my horse; and yet I did not like to
leave it to be devoured by hyenas and jackals, or other beasts of prey,
which it would, I knew, inevitably be very shortly, should I go away. I
therefore waited and waited, hoping to see my companions return. I
thought I remembered pretty accurately the direction I had come; but the
clump of trees was but a small object to guid