special about it?, 'Special?' he asked with wonder in his voice. The
Woman asks if it is special.' He rolled his eyes heavenward and she had
to laugh again at his histrionics. 'It is the only known specimen in
existence.
creatures on earth. So rare that It is One of the rarest now. So rare it
is probably extinct by that many zoologists believe that apocryphal,
that it never really existed. They think it is that my sainted
great-grandfather, after whom it is named, actually invented it. One
learned reference hinted that he may have taken the skin of the striped
mongoose and stretched it over the form of a common dik-dik. Can you
imagine a more heinous accusation?)
'I am truly appalled by such injustice,'she laughed.
'Darned right, You should be. Because we are going to Africa to hunt for
another specimen of Madoqua harpent, to vindicate the honour of the
family., 'I don't understand.'
'Come with me and all will be explained.'He led her back to his study,
and from the jumble on the tabletop Picked out a notebook bound in red
Morocco leather. The cover was faded and stained with water marks and
tropical sun light, while the corners and the spine were frayed and
battered.
'Old Sir Jonathan's game book,) he explained, and opened it. Pressed
between the pages were faded wild flowers and leaves that must have been
there for almost a century. The text was illuminated by line drawings in
faded Yellow ink of men and animals and wild landscapes.
Nicholas read the date at the top of one page.
2nd of February 1902.
A In camp on the Abbay river.
11 day following the spoor of two large bull ele Phants- Unable to come
up with the . Heat ve, intense- MY Men Played out Abandoned the chase
small antelope grazing on the river-bank which I and returned to camp.
On the return march lied a brought down with one shot from the little
Rigby 'and- On close examination it proved to be a member of the genus
Madoqa. However, it was of a species that I had never seen before,
larger than the common dik-dik and Possessing a striped body. I believe
that this specimen may be new to science.
He looked up from the diary. 'Old great-grandpa Jonathan has given us
the perfect excuse for going down into the Abbay gorge.' He closed the
book, and went on, 'As you pointed out, to cater for our own expedition
would require months of planning and organization, not to mention the
expense. It would mean having to obtain approval and permission from the
Ethiopian government. In Africa that can take months, if not Years.'
'I don't imagine that the Ethiopian government would be too cooperative
if they suspected our real intentions,' she agreed.
'On the other hand, there are a number of legitimate hunting safari
companies operating throughout the country. They have all the necessary
permits, governmental contacts, vehicles, camping equipment and logistic
back, up necessary to travel and stay in even the remotest areas.
The authorities are quite accustomed to foreign hunters arriving and
leaving with these companies, whereas a couple of ferengi nosing around
