The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
SHOOTING THE BLUE BUCK.
Interesting Little Antelope Of the African
hush.


During nv residence in South Africa
there was no animal which met oftener
and which excited my interest more than
the diminutive blue buck Of the colonists;
blau-bok Of the Beers. and ipiti Of the
Zulus Residing on the outskirts Of Durham,
Natal, and at the foot OF the Berea Hill
which was covered with dense fore
growth, making an ideal haunt for this
pretty and interesting little bush loving
antelope, I constantly met II, says Frank j.
Thompson in Forest and Stredm, on I'M
expected occasions and frequently in com
pany with its relative, the duyker-bok
oliver buck, 40 called from its rapid man
ner OF diving and darting through the
densest underground when frightened.
But a short time elapsed before sue
ceeded in shooting one, under somewhat
dificult conditions. had gone into the
bush 20 select some slender growths Of
timber, and was in the act Of notching
several OF group with my knife, when my
attention was attracted by hearing a slight
sound, very similar to that which had
heard but a short time previously. eau
tiously lmeeled down and gradually man
aged 10 lie fat on the ground. 80 that
could peer underneath the foliage and past
the bodies Of the elm trees which sur
rounded me.
MY maneuver was a complete success
az found myself within full view OF three
blue bucks. two Of which were evidently
males, preparing to battle for the possession
Of the third one, which was female. Nv
patience was not severely tried. as in a very
short time they sprang at each other and
interlooked hons. Thenceforth it was
merely test Of siren 9Th, which was brought
10 an end by one gradually pressing the
other backward, some eight or ten feet,
by unlocking his horns and rushing some
what in my direction.
During the fight my rife had been firmly
held against my shoulder, ready 10 make
q shot at any time, and, just as 1 expected
the vanquished one ran but a short dis
tance before he stopped, in order to catch
his wind, when bullet dropped him ia
his tracks, while the conqueror and his
prize vanished IN the thick underground.
had just crossed the Tonga River. IN
Fonda Land, when shortage Of fresh
meat was reported. and / started on a
ramble down the banks Of the river 10 see
IL / could replenish the lardeT Picking
my way along cautiously and keeping a
sharp lookout for game, had gone but a
few hundred feet when ! detected some
thing moving through the underground
lust ahead Of me. Exercising the greatest
vigilance, ! slowly moved forward, and
was finally rewarded by catching a glimpse
Of a pair Of blue bucks lom ging along ard
nipoinR on dainty bits OF the foliage
Noticing just ahead Of them a thin place
In the vegetation, / trained the rife for
the spot and awaited the appear Of the
game. The female was the first to reach
Il, and was RnIiously looking for the male
TO follow suit a. I wished Particularly
TO secure him. Suddenly / was startled
by the whiz Of an assRg /, and the female
darted out Of sight. Keeping my position
and awaiting developments, / coon caught
sight Of Kaffir quickly advancing through
the thoket; and 30 intent was he on securing
his game that he did not detect my prox
unity until / was alongside OF him Just a
he was lifting Il to his shoulders
was coolly saluted with the customary
'Ughl' and informed that he knew Of nv
being In the vicinity, and was on his way
TO my camp. when he fortunately encoun-
tered the pair Of antelope His spear had
struck the buck with such force Just be-
hind the foresboulder, that lie head pro-
jected on the opposite side. II required |
but = few moments 20 barREin for his prize !
and ~ dalivOrv 81 nv bivouAa whsrO be Waa ]