“These Antelopes, of which the Mashona names are _Inguarāti_ and _Marabālla_, were much more numerous before the incursion of the Pioneers in 1890, but even now, in most out-of-the-way places, they are abundant, especially on the higher parts of the plateau, which is from 3000 to 5000 feet high. As late as 1896 I have seen troops of these bucks lying out on the open flats at midday, far from any cover, but, as a rule, when much disturbed and hunted, they seek concealment in the bush for their daily sleep. They usually go in troops of from 5 to 12 or 15, the largest herd I ever counted consisting of 22 individuals; I often heard of troops of 50 or 60, but when an opportunity offered of counting them they invariably resolved themselves into a score or so. Occasionally one comes across a bull keeping altogether by himself, and in such cases I always found him very wary and almost impossible to approach within shot. Whatever may be the reason for his going alone, it is evidently the same cause that has also made him very suspicious and cautious. I have known a lone bull haunt a certain spot for months, and have seen him frequently, but never in company. Sometimes 3 or 4 bulls will be found together, but usually herds are mixed—young and old, male and female, run together; a troop of 10 will consist of one big bull, 3 or 4 younger males, and the remainder cows or young ones. The old bulls don’t seem to wish to drive away the younger males, as Deer do. “One day, as I was quietly meandering through the bush in Mashonaland, a troop of 10 or 12 Sable came trotting by. About half had gone past me without suspicion, when a cow took the alarm, and, stopping suddenly, looked in my direction. She could not exactly make out the enemy, but after a few seconds she stamped her foot two or three times and snorted, as if to warn the others to keep quiet. They all stopped, gazing about, but finally cantered off without having satisfied their curiosity. “These Antelopes fight very well with their long curved horns, and strike sideways very quickly. A dog that is unwise enough to run up behind and try to lay hold of one has little chance of escaping impalement. A bull won’t run very far from a dog, but will stop to fight him, and if the dog keeps out of his reach and stays running round and barking at him the hunter can easily get up for a shot. “When taken young, Sables get very tame and bold, and will push open the door and demolish a loaf of bread or any other eatables that may be handy. A young bull used to frequent the laager at Salisbury during the Mashonaland rebellion in 1896; he was very friendly with white folks, but—unlike some of the stay-at-home philanthropists—knew the difference between white and black men very well, and if a ‘black brother’ took any liberties with him he was promptly knocked down.