THE CAPE BUFFALO. 87 



alone ; but though they are fiercer than the young ones, 

 they are less dangerous, because less active, and less 

 inclined to exertion. 



It is worthy of observation, that the males of every 

 species of the Genus Bos are remarkably bold and 

 courageous, as are likewise the females when they have 

 calves. It is not, therefore, surprising that the hunting 

 of this animal should be attended with danger, and fre- 

 quently with fatal consequences. The European colonists 

 generally pursue the sport on horseback ; but the Gaffers 

 and other natives, who are more active, and accustomed 

 to the intricacies of the forest, prefer following the game 

 on foot. 



Professor Thunberg, whilst investigating the interior of 

 Caffraria, in 1772, in company with a sergeant and a 

 European gardener, who had resided in the colony some 

 time, and who acted as guide on the occasion, met with 

 the following perilous adventure : 



" We had not advanced far into the wood," says the 

 traveller, " before we had the misfortune of meeting with 

 a large old male Buffalo, which was lying down quite 

 alone, in a spot that was free from bushes for the space of 

 a few square yards. He no sooner discovered Auge, the 

 gardener, who went first, than, roaring horribly, he rushed 

 upon him. The gardener turning his horse short round, 

 behind a large tree, by that means got in some measure out 

 of the Buffalo's sight, which now rushed straight forward 

 towards the sergeant, who followed next, and gored his 

 horse in the belly in such a terrible manner, that it fell 

 on its back that instant, with its feet turned up in the 

 air, and all its entrails hanging out, in which state it 

 lived almost half an hour. The gardener and the sergeant, 



