f zebra we were
trying to approach and make off with them to safety. We cursed that
kongoni, but we admired him, for he deliberately ran out of safety into
danger for the purpose of warning those zebra. So seriously do they take
their job as policemen of the plains that it is very common for a lazy
single animal of another species to graze in a herd of kongonis simply
for the sake of protection. Wildebeeste are much given to this.

The kongoni progresses by a series of long high bounds. While in
midair he half tucks up his feet, which gives him the appearance of an
automatic toy. This gait looks deliberate, but is really quite fast, as
the mounted sportsman discovers when he enters upon a vain pursuit. If
the horse is an especially good one, so that the kongoni feels himself
a trifle closely pressed, the latter stops bouncing and runs. Then he
simply fades away into the distance.

These beasts are also given to chasing each other all over the
landscape. When a gentleman kongoni conceives a dislike for another
gentleman kongoni, he makes no concealment of his emotions, but marches
up and prods him in the ribs. The ensuing battle is usually fought
out very stubbornly with much feinting, parrying, clashing of the
lyre-shaped horns; and a good deal of crafty circling for a favourable
opening. As far as I was ever able to see not much real damage is
inflicted; though I could well imagine that only skilful fence prevented
unpleasant punctures in soft spots. After a time one or the other feels
himself weakening. He dashes strongly in, wheels while his antagonist is
braced, and makes off. The enemy pursues. Then, apparently, the chase
is on for the rest of the day. The victor is not content merely to drive
his rival out of the country; he wants to catch him. On that object he
is very intent; about as intent as the other fellow is of getting away.
I have seen two such beasts almost run over a dozen men who were making
no effort to keep out of sight. Long after honour is satisfied, indeed,
as it seems to me, long after the dictates of common decency would call
a halt that persistent and single-minded pursuer bounds solemnly and
conscientiously along in the wake of his disgusted rival.

These and the zebra and wildebeeste were at Juja the most conspicuous
game animals. If they could not for the moment be seen from the veranda
of the house itself, a short walk to the gate was sufficient to reveal
many hundreds. Among them fed her