Before reaching the pit, several antelopes and other animals had been
passed,--killed or injured in the crush and rush. Such of these as were
still living, received but a passing glance and a blow from those who
were hastening onward to a scene more wild--more frightful and horribly
human in origin and execution--than words will describe.
The novelty and excitement of the scene, and the infectious example of
the maddened Africans, inspired Groot Willem and his companions with a
savage, blood-seeking intoxication of mind that urged them forward with
nearly as much insane earnestness as the most frenzied of the Makololo.
The herds they had been driving before them were now concentrated into a
quivering, struggling, noisy mass. The pit was soon full of roaring,
bellowing, bleating, growling victims of the chase, that were piled one
upon another, until hundreds escaped by passing over the backs of those
that had preceded them.
When the overflowing of the pit had passed off, and the hunters came up
to gaze on what remained, they beheld a scene never to be forgotten in
life. Underneath, they could hear the roaring of a lion, being
smothered by its favourite game. For the first time, it had too many
antelopes within its reach. There was one creature in the crowd that
was not to be overlain by the others. It was the muchocho, or white
rhinoceros, they had seen while driving in the game. Every time it
moved, bodies were crushed, bones broken, and the cries of rage and
distress from what seemed a miniature representation of a perdition for
animals became imperceptibly diminished by several voices. The muchocho
was apparently standing on its hind legs in the bottom of the pit, while
the upper part of its body was supported by the creatures that were
screaming under its immense weight.
Mingled with the struggling mass were seen some of the camelopards; and,
fearing they might be subjected to the destroying power of the huge
rhinoceros, Willem placed the muzzle of his roer near one of its eyes,
and fired.
The report of the gun was scarcely heard, so stunning to the ears of all
was the fracas that continued; though the effect of the discharge was
soon evident on the muchocho. It ceased to live.
All hands now set to work at clearing the pit, in order to save the
young giraffes from being killed; that is, if they were yet living.
Rheims with loops at the ends were thrown over the heads of the
antelopes and other small game, by which they could be hauled out.
After a short time spent at this work, a partial clearance was effected.
The body of a young giraffe was now carefully got out. It was examined
with an interest verging on delirium. It was quite warm, but lifeless,
its neck being broken.
One of the old ones,--a large bull,--struggling violently, was now the
most conspicuous animal in the pit, and being, as Hendrik said, "too
much alive," was killed by a bullet.
The head and neck of another young giraffe was seen, whose body was
nearly buried under animals larger than itself. It was apparently
unharmed. Every care was taken to get it out without injury, and it was
drawn gently up and two rheims placed around its neck, in order to
hinder it from running away. It was not more than two months old,--just
the age the hunters desired,--but it soon became evident that there was
something wrong. While continuing its struggle for freedom, they
observed that one of its fore feet was not set on the ground. The leg
was swinging to and fro. It was broken.
The creature was young, bright, and beautiful, but could not be taken to
the Colony. It could never visit Europe. The only favour that could be
shown this suffering, trembling, frightened victim of Groot Willem's
ambition was to put it out of pain by shooting it, and the young hunter
witnessed its death with as much pity and regret as he had felt at the
loss of poor Smoke.
The pit was at length emptied; and the hunters now paused to contemplate
their spoil. Seven giraffes had been destroyed, nearly all of them by
having their necks broken. These, six or seven feet in length, had been
too delicately made to resist the impetus of the heavy herds passing
over them.
Although they had failed in procuring what they wanted, it was not yet
proved that the hopo had been built in vain. It might still be
available for another time. So they were informed by Macora, who said
that, in two or three days, other giraffes might be found in the mimosa
grove, and a second drive could be tried.
This partly reconciled the hunters to the disappointment of the day,
though all felt a strong regret that two of the beautiful creatures,
such as they wished-for, had been driven into the trap only to die.
Many herds might be discovered, without having among them any young,
such as the two now lying dead at their feet. Other young camelopards
might be caught and killed; but many failures must occur before Groot
Willem would relinquish the undertaking for which he had travelled so
far.
The time was not wholly lost to the Makololo, for a supply of food had
been obtained that would take them some time to preserve, and longer to
eat.
The day after the grand hunt, long rheims, suspended on upright poles,
were covered with strings of meat drying in the sun, while all the
bushes and small trees in the vicinity were festooned after the same
fashion. For the dried meat, or _biltongue_, only the best and
favourite portions of each animal were used, and the rest was removed
beyond the encampment, where it formed a banquet for vultures, hyenas,
and other carrion creatures of the earth and air.
Three days after the butchery, all that remained of the slaughtered
animals was the dried meat and polished bones.