de dry shod through
some of the pools. But before he had gone far he began wishing that he
had brought the dogs, to search the different clumps of high grass,
every one of which looked to be a certain lurking-place for a lion; and
knowing now full well what capital stalkers they were, he kept glancing
over his shoulder at the various clumps, fully expecting to see an
enemy.

There were two or three rushes and rustling noises to make him start,
but as they only proved to be made by water-lizards Jack grew more
confident, and creeping cautiously along, he began to make for a couple
of herds feeding upon the plain--one, the gnu, or wildebeeste as the
Boers call them; the others, the graceful, shapely blessbok.

The appearance of the fierce shaggy gnu is not such as to give promise
that he will prove good eating, so Jack naturally turned his attention
to the blessboks, creeping cautiously along so as to get within shot;
but though he was perfectly certain that he had not shown so much as the
barrel of his gun, the blessbok suddenly took alarm, and went off like
the wind.

Their very first dash alarmed the gnu, some thirty strong, and they
dashed off in another direction.

"And I was so careful!" cried Jack passionately; but the next instant,
just as he was about to show himself, and get out of the cramped
position he had occupied close to a clump of grass, he had the
satisfaction of seeing that the blessboks had not been alarmed at him,
for they had suddenly wheeled round, and were coming right for him as
hard as they could gallop.

"Well, I shall get one this time," cried Jack, bringing his rifle to
bear, and waiting for an opportunity as the beautiful animals galloped
along; when a heavy beating noise behind him caught his ear, and turning
he found that the gnus had also altered their course, and were coming
back, with their heads down, tails up, and their horns half pointed, as
if to charge the young hunter where he crouched.

There was no mistake about it; the gnu herd was coming straight for him,
and in another minute they would have leaped down into the half dry
watercourse, and trampled him into the sand.

It was a time for displaying a little presence of mind, and to show the
power of man--in this case, boy--over the beasts of the field. If the
gnus had kept on, they would have crushed Jack on the instant, each one
being in strength much more than a match for a man; but on seeing him
start up on one knee,