So I sat and gazed on the mountain and the forest that grew over it
like hair on the head of a woman, and as I gazed I heard a sound that
came from far away, out of the heart of the forest as it seemed. At
first it was faint and far off, a distant thing like the cry of
children in a kraal across a valley; then it grew louder, but still I
could not say what it might be; now it swelled and swelled, and I knew
it--it was the sound of wild beats at chase. Nearer came the music,
the rocks rang with it, and its voice set the blood beating but to
hearken to it. That pack was great which ran a-hunting through the
silent night; and now it was night, on the other side of the slope
only, and the sound swelled so loud that those who were with me awoke
also and looked forth. Now of a sudden a great koodoo bull appeared
for an instant standing out against the sky on the crest of the ridge,
then vanished in the shadow. He was running towards us; presently we
saw him again speeding on his path with great bounds. We saw this also
--forms grey and gaunt and galloping, in number countless, that leaped
along his path, appearing on the crest of the rise, disappearing into
the shadow, seen again on the slope, lost in the valley; and with them
two other shapes, the shapes of men.
Now the big buck bounded past us not half a spear's throw away, and
behind him streamed the countless wolves, and from the throats of the
wolves went up that awful music.
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