Now Von Bloom was not sure that the great design he had formed was practicable. But in this case, he had no choice. No other means of livelihood4 was open to him just then; and he had resolved to make trial of this. He had faith in his calculations, and he had also good reason to hope he would succeed; but the thing was yet untried. No wonder he was in haste to begin the business—in haste to know what were his chances of success.
By early day, therefore, he was up and out. Hendrik and Swartboy only accompanied him, for he could not yet bring himself to leave the children with no other protection than Totty—almost as much a child as themselves. Hans, therefore, remained by the camp.
At first the hunters followed the little rivulet5 that ran from the spring and vley. They did so, because in this direction there was more “bush;” and they knew that elephants would be more likely to be found in woods than in open places. Indeed, it was only near the banks of the stream that any great quantity of wood was to be seen. A broad belt of jungle extended upon each side of it. After that, there were straggling groves6 and clumps7; and then came the open plains, almost treeless, though covered with a rich carpet of grass for some distance farther. To this succeeded the wild karoo, stretching eastward8 and westward9 beyond the reach of vision. Along the north, as already mentioned, trended the line of “bluffs;” and beyond these there was nothing but the parched10 and waterless desert. To the south there lay the only thing that could be called “woods;” and although such a low jungle could lay no claim to the title of “forest,” it was, nevertheless, a likely enough haunt for elephants.
The trees consisted chiefly of mimosas—of several species; upon the leaves, roots, and tender shoots of which the great ruminant loves to browse11. There were some “cameel-doorn” trees, with their shady umbrella-like tops. But above all rose the massive heads of the nwanas, giving a peculiar12 character to the landscape.
The hunters noticed, as they went on, that the channel of the rivulet became wider and larger and that at times—no doubt after great rains—a large quantity of water must have run in its bed, forming a considerable river. But as the channel grew larger, the reverse was the case with the quantity of running water. The farther down they proceeded this became less and less; until, at the distance of a mile from camp, the current ceased altogether.
For half-a-mile farther on they found water in stagnant13 pools, but none running. The wide, dry channel, however, continued on as before; and the “bush” extended on both sides without interruption, so thick that they could only make way by keeping in the channel itself.
As they walked along, several kinds of small game were started. Hendrik would gladly have taken a shot at some of these, but his father would not permit him to fire just then. It might frighten away the great “game” they were in search of, and which they might fall in with at any moment. On their return Hendrik might do his best; and then the field-cornet intended to assist him in procuring14 an antelope15, as there was no fresh venison in the camp. This, however, was a consideration of secondary importance, and the first thing to be done was to try and get a pair of tusks16.
There was no objection to Swartboy using his bow, as that silent weapon would cause no alarm. Swartboy had been taken along to carry the axe17 and other implements18, as well as to assist in the hunt. Of course he had brought his bow and quiver with him; and he was constantly on the watch for something at which to let fly on of his little poisoned arrows.
He found a mark at length worthy19 of his attention. On crossing the plain to avoid a large bend in the channel, they came upon a glade20 or opening of considerable size, and in the middle of this glade a huge bird appeared standing21 erect22. “An ostrich23!” exclaimed Hendrik. “No,” replied Swartboy; “um ar da pauw.”
“Yes,” said Von Bloom, confirming Swartboy’s statement, “it is the pauw.”
Now a “pauw” in the Dutch language is a “peacock.” But there are no peacocks in Africa. The peacock in its wild state inhabits only Southern Asia and the islands of the Indian Archipelago. The bird they saw, then, could not be a peacock.
Neither was it one. And yet it bore some resemblance to a peacock, with its long heavy tail and wings speckled and ocellated in a very striking manner, and something like the “marbled” feathers that adorn24 the peacock’s back. It had none of the brilliant colours, however, of that proudest of birds, though it was quite as stately, and much larger and taller. In fact, its great height and erect attitude was why Hendrik at first glance had taken it for an ostrich. It was neither peacock nor ostrich, but belonging to a different genus from either—to the genus Otis or bustard. It was the great bustard of South Africa—the Otis kori—called “pauw” by the Dutch colonists25, on account of its ocellated plumage and other points of resemblance to the Indian peacock.
Now Swartboy, as well as Von Bloom, knew that the pauw was one of the most delicious of fowls26 for the table. But they knew at the same time that it was one of the shyest of birds,—so shy that it is very difficult to get even a long shot at one. How, then, was it to be approached within range of the Bushman’s arrow? That was the point to be considered.
Where it stood, it was full two hundred yards from them; and had it perceived them, it would soon have widened that distance, by running off two hundred more. I say running off, for birds of the bustard family rarely take to wing, but use their long legs to escape from an enemy. On this account they are often hunted by dogs, and caught after a severe chase. Although but poor flyers, they are splendid runners,—swift almost as the ostrich itself.
The pauw, however, had not observed the hunters as yet. They had caught a glimpse of it, before appearing out of the bushes, and had halted as soon as they saw it.
How was Swartboy to approach it? It was two hundred yards from any cover, and the ground was as clean as a new-raked meadow. True, the plain was not a large one. Indeed, Swartboy was rather surprised to see a pauw upon so small a one, for these birds frequent only the wide open karoos, where they can sight their enemy at a great distance. The glade was not large, but, after watching the bustard for some minutes, the hunters saw that it was resolved to keep near the centre, and showed no disposition27 to feed in the direction of the thicket28 on either side.
Any one but a Bushman would have despaired of getting a shot at this kori; but Swartboy did not despair.
Begging the others to remain quiet, he crept forward to the edge of the jungle, and placed himself behind a thick leafy bush. He then commenced uttering a call, exactly similar to that made by the male of the kori when challenging an adversary29 to combat.
Like the grouse30, the bustard is polygamous, and of course terribly jealous and pugnacious31, at certain seasons of the year. Swartboy knew that it was just then the “fighting season” among the pauws, and hoped by imitating their challenge to draw the bird—a cock he saw it was—within reach of his arrow.
As soon as the kori heard the call, he raised himself to his full height, spread his immense tail, dropped his wings until the primary feathers trailed along the grass, and replied to the challenge.
But what now astonished Swartboy was, that instead of one answer to his call, he fancied he heard two, simultaneously32 uttered!
It proved to be no fancy, for before he could repeat the decoy the bird again gave out its note of defiance33, and was answered by a similar call from another quarter.
Swartboy looked in the direction whence came the latter; and there, sure enough, was a second kori, that seemed to have dropped from the region of the clouds, or, more likely, had run out from the shelter of the bushes. At all events, it was a good way towards the centre of the plain, before the hunter had observed it.
The two were now in full view of each other; and by their movements any one might see that a combat was certain to come off.
Sure of this, Swartboy did not call again; but remained silent behind his bush.
After a good while spent in strutting34, and wheeling round and round, and putting themselves in the most threatening attitudes, and uttering the most insulting expressions, the two koris became sufficiently36 provoked to begin the battle. They “clinched” in gallant37 style, using all three weapons,—wings, beak38, and feet. Now they struck each other with their wings, now pecked with their bills; and at intervals39, when a good opportunity offered, gave each other a smart kick—which, with their long muscular legs, they were enabled to deliver with considerable force.
Swartboy knew that when they were well into the fight, he might stalk in upon them unobserved; so he waited patiently, till the proper moment should arrive.
In a few seconds it became evident, he would not have to move from his ambush40; for the birds were fighting towards him. He adjusted his arrow to the string, and waited.
In five minutes the birds were fighting within thirty yards of the spot where the Bushman lay. The twang of a bowstring might have been heard by one of the koris, had he been listening. The other could not possibly have heard it; for before the sound could have reached him, a poisoned arrow was sticking through his ears. The barb41 had passed through, and the shaft42 remained in his head, piercing it crosswise!
Of course the bird dropped dead upon the grass, less astonished than his antagonist43.
The latter at first imagined he had done it, and began to strut35 very triumphantly44 around his fallen foe45.
But his eye now fell upon the arrow sticking through the head of the latter. He knew nothing about that. He had not done that! What the deuce—
Perhaps if he had been allowed another moment’s reflection, he would have taken to his heels; but before he could make up his mind about the matter, there was another “twang” of the bowstring, another arrow whistled through the air, and another kori lay stretched upon the grass.
Swartboy now rushed forward, and took possession of the game; which proved to be a pair of young cocks, in prime condition for roasting.
Having hung the birds over a high branch, so as to secure them from jackals and hyenas46, the hunters continued on; and shortly after, having re-entered the channel of the stream, continued to follow it downward.
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1
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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begets
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| v.为…之生父( beget的第三人称单数 )；产生，引起 | |
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3
intimidates
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| n.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的名词复数 )v.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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4
livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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5
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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6
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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8
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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10
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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browse
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| vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草 | |
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12
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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13
stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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14
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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15
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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17
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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18
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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19
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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21
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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26
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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27
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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28
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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29
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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30
grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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31
pugnacious
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| adj.好斗的 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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34
strutting
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| 加固，支撑物 | |
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strut
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| v.肿胀，鼓起；大摇大摆地走；炫耀；支撑；撑开；n.高视阔步；支柱，撑杆 | |
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36
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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37
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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38
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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39
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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40
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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41
barb
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| n.（鱼钩等的）倒钩，倒刺 | |
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42
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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43
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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44
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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45
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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46
hyenas
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| n.鬣狗( hyena的名词复数 ) | |
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