"I see," replied the Major. "What are they?"
"Gemsbok," said Swinton. "Now I will thank you for a specimen of that beautiful creature, if you can get it for me. We must dismount, leave our horses here, and crawl along from tree to tree, and bush to bush, till we get within shot."
"They are, indeed, noble animals. Look at that large male, which appears to be the leader and master of the herd. What splendid horns!" cried Alexander.
"Give the horses to Omrah and Swanevelt. Bremen shall go with us. Hist; not a word; they are looking in this direction." said the Major.
"Recollect to try for the large male. I want him most particularly," said Swinton.
"Master," said Bremen, "We must creep till we get those bushes between us and the game. Then we can crawl through the bushes and get a good shot."
"Yes, that will be the best plan," said Swinton. "As softly as we can, for they are very shy animals."
They followed one another for two or three hundred yards, creeping from one covert to another, till they had placed the bushes on the plain between them and the herd. They then stopped a little and reconnoitered. The herd of antelopes had left off feeding, and now had all their heads turned toward the bushes, and in the direction where they were concealed; the large male rather in advance of the others, with his long horns pointing forward, and his nose close to the ground. Our party kept silence for some time, watching the animals; but none of them moved much from their positions; and as for the male, he remained as if he were a statue.
"They must have scented us," whispered Alexander.
"No, sir," said Bremen; "the wind blows from them to us. I can't think what they are about. But perhaps they may have seen us."