The springboks, which, in equal numbers, frequent the same immense plains, make away in every direction over the wildest part of the country, sometimes with flying bounds (beautifully exhibiting the long, snowy white hair, with which their backs are adorned), and at others, walking carelessly and slowly out of the hunter’s way, scarcely deigning to look at him. Black bisons also cover the entire length and breadth of this wild country, and may be seen in herds, averaging from fifty to sixty, wheeling about in endless circles, and performing the most extraordinary variety of intricate evolutions round the hunter on every side. While he is riding round to take a shot at some of the herd in front of him, other herds are charging down right and left; and having described a number of circular movements, they take up positions upon the very ground across which the hunter rode only a few minutes before. Throughout the greater part of the plains frequented by blesboks, numbers of sun-baked hills, or mounds of clay, formed by the white ants, occur, the average height of which are from three to four feet. These ant-hills are generally distant from each other from about one to three hundred yards, and are of great service to the hunter, as he can conceal himself from observation behind them, when he advances to the attack. [Illustration] It was amid these scenes that, a few years ago, Gordon Cumming luxuriated as a hunter, and noble and not a few, are the trophies of this modern Nimrod—as may be seen at the Exhibition of his Game, in the Museum, near Hyde Park. Overpowered with the sports of the gun and the chase, he had laid down for a brief repose behind one of the ant-hills already alluded to; but he had not slept long before he was aroused by a strange, multitudinous pattering of feet. On raising his head, he saw to his utmost horror, on every side, nothing but savage wild dogs, chattering and growling. On his right and on his left, stood two lines of these ferocious-looking animals, cocking their ears and stretching their necks to have a look at him; while two large apes, with which there were at the least forty more, kept dashing backwards and forwards within a few yards of him, chattering and growling with the most extraordinary volubility. He expected no other fate than to be instantly torn to pieces and consumed; his blood seemed to run cold, and his hair bristled on his head. However, he had presence of mind to consider that the human voice and a determined bearing might overawe them; and, accordingly, springing to his feet, he stepped on one of the ant-hills, and drawing himself to his full height, he waved his coarse blanket with both hands, at the same time addressing the assembly in a loud and solemn manner. This had the desired effect: the wild dogs removed to a more respectful distance, barking at him the while. Upon this, he snatched up his rifle and began loading, but before this was