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.