en crossed by Swanevelt, who stated that there was a large herd of
elephants on the other side, and the tracks of the rhinoceros were to be
seen on both sides of the river.

On the third morning after their arrival at the Val, they set off,
accompanied by the Hottentots, to the plain which they had spoken of;
riding through magnificent groups of acacia or camelthorn trees, many
of which were covered with the enormous nests of the social grosbeaks.
As they descended to the plain they perceived large herds of brindled
gnoos, quaggas, and antelopes, covering the whole face of the country as
far as the eye could reach, moving about in masses to and fro, joining
each other and separating, so that the whole plain seemed alive with
them.

"Is not this splendid?" cried the Major. "Such a sight is worth all the
trouble and labor which we have undergone. What would they say in
England, if they could but behold this scene?"

"There must be thousands and thousands," said Alexander. "Tell me,
Swinton, what beautiful animals are those of a purple color?"

"They are called the purple sassabys," replied Swinton; "one of the most
elegant of the antelope tribe."

"And those red and yellow out there?"

"They are the harte beests. I wish to have male and female specimens of
both, if I can."

"See!" said the Major, "there is a fine flock of ostriches. We are
puzzled where to begin. Come, we have surveyed the scene long enough;
now forward,--to change it."

They rode down, and were soon within shot of the animals, and the rifles
began their work. The Hottentots commenced firing from various points,
and, alarmed by the report of the guns, the animals now fled away in
every direction, and the whole place was one cloud of dust. Our
travelers put their horses to their speed, and soon came up with them
again, as their numbers impeded the animals in their flight. Every shot
told, for it was hardly possible to miss; and the Hottentots who
followed on foot, put those who were wounded out of their misery. At
last the horses were too fatigued and too much out of wind to continue
the pursuit, and they reined up.

"Well, Alexander, this has been sport, has it not?" said the Major.

"Yes, a grand battue, on a grand scale, indeed."

"There were three animals which you did not observe," said Swinton;
"but it was impossible to get at them, they were so far off; but we must
try for them another time."

"What were they?"

"The elands, the lar