"At present. Be ready; they may take flight at any moment, and we must not let our fresh-meat supply get out of range." "'Tisn't in range yet," said Dyke quietly. "No, but it soon will be." "What are you going to shoot at?--the springbok, and then mount and gallop after them and shoot again, like the Boers do?" "What! with big antelope about? No, boy; we want our larder filling up too badly. Look: impalas; and at those grand elands." "I see them; but they must be a mile away." "Quite; but they are coming in this direction. Dyke, boy, we must make up our mind to get one of these." "But we could never get it home. They're bigger than bullocks." "Let's shoot one, and then talk of getting it home. What about a span of oxen and a couple of hurdles! We could drag it back, and it would make biltong, and so last us for weeks." "Ugh! Leather!" cried Dyke. "And give us plenty of fresh meat for present eating, and fat to cook for months." "Don't make my mouth water too much, Joe." "Hush! Be quiet now; move close up to your horse's shoulder, rest your gun across it, and then you will be better hidden. Are you loaded all right?" "Bullet in each barrel." "That will do. Now mind, if we do get a chance at one, you will aim just at the shoulder. Try and don't be flurried." "All right." "Give him both barrels, so as to make sure. Try and fire when I do." Dyke nodded, and they waited for fully two hours, during which time zebras, quaggas, and various kinds of antelopes charged down near them, startled by the sight of the two curious-looking horses, standing so patiently there in the middle of the plain, and after halting nervously, they careered away again, the trampling of their feet sounding like the rush of a storm. Again and again the hunters had opportunities for bringing down goodly, well-fed antelope, when a herd bounded up, wheeled, halted, and stood at gaze; but there in the background were the great eland, each coming slowly and cautiously on, as if they had also been surprised by the aspect of the horses, and were curious to know what manner of creatures these might be. Dyke wanted to say "Let's shoot;" but his lips did not part, and he stood patiently watching at one time, impatiently at another, feeling as he did that his brother was letting a magnificent chance go by. Twice over the position was startling, when first a herd of quaggas and then one of gnus charged down upon them, and Dyke felt that the next minute he would be trampled under foot by the many squadrons of wild-eyed, shaggy little creatures. But the horses stood fast, comforted and encouraged by the presence of their masters, while the fierce-looking herds halted, stood, stamped, and tossed their heads, and went off again.