, when hunting
the creatures that are there found; yet to see several herds of wild
animals grazing in undisturbed freedom on plains glowing like satin, and
through which silver streams wind their way, is to the eye of the man
who has been accustomed to crowded cities a gratifying sight. To the
hunter who purposes supplying his larder from these herds, it becomes
even more interesting; and thus, as Hans and his companions, riding on a
commanding ridge, waiting for the morning mist to clear off the valleys
beneath them, saw the plains sprinkled with small herds of elands, they
rejoiced at their anticipated success, and at once, made their plans for
hunting their game.

When disturbed by the sight of man, the antelopes of Africa, to which
class the eland belongs, will almost invariably start at a long trot
with their heads towards the wind. They pursue this course because they
are very keen-scented, and as they meet the wind can tell whether any
enemy is concealed before them. Even when they have to run the gauntlet
of the hunters, the eland will usually prefer doing so and keeping his
head to the wind, rather than run down wind. The only exception to this
rule is when the animals know that a very difficult country for hunting
is in any one direction. They will then run to this country as to a
sanctuary, and can thus escape the hunter; for whilst an eland can
descend a steep hill on which are large masses of loose stones at the
most rapid trot, a horseman is obliged to dismount and lead his horse
until riding becomes possible. Thus it is always one of the objects of
a hunter to cut off the retreat of a herd of game from any portion of
country in which he knows he could not hunt them with advantage.

A fortnight in the plains enabled Hans to fill his waggons with beltong,
and he then returned to the head-quarters of his friends, ready to take
any part in the expedition which he knew must be carried out before
long.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

THE EMIGRANTS COLLECT THEIR FORCES--BATTLE WITH DINGAAN, THE ZULU
CHIEF--FORMATION OF THE NATAL SETTLEMENT--THE TREACHERY OF THE ZULU
CHIEF--BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER.

Having partially recovered from the defeat that Dingaan had given them,
the emigrants endeavoured to obtain sufficient aid from their countrymen
who had hitherto failed to join them, to enable them to attack the Zulus
and recover their lost cattle. Not only was this aid promised, but
supplies of food and ammunitio