THE CAPE BUFFALO. 91 



The Caffres, who at that time (1772) did not possess 

 firearms, were, nevertheless, dextrous in the use of their 

 javelins. When a Caffre has discovered a spot where 

 several Buffaloes are assembled, he blows a pipe, made of 

 the thigh-bone of a sheep, which is heard at a great 

 distance. In consequence of this, several of his comrades 

 run up to the spot, and surrounding the Buffaloes, at the 

 same time approaching them by degrees, throw their 

 javelins at them. In this case, out of ten or twelve 

 Buffaloes, it is very rare for one to escape. It some- 

 times happens, however, that while the Buffaloes are 

 running off, some one of the hunters, who stands in the 

 way of them, is tossed and killed, which, by the people of 

 this nation, is not much regarded. When the chase is 

 over, each one takes his share of the game. 



Since the introduction of firearms by the Europeans, 

 the natives, as well as the colonists, bring down the 

 Buffalo by means of the gun. Nevertheless, great circum- 

 spection is required in following the sport, as the animal 

 is sometimes capable of revenging himself even after being 

 severely wounded. On one occasion a party of huntsmen 

 discovered a small herd of Buffaloes grazing on a piece of 

 marshy ground. As it was impossible to get near enough 

 without crossing a marsh, which did not afford a safe 

 footing for their horses, they left them in charge of the 

 Hottentots, and proceeded on foot, thinking, that if the 

 Buffaloes should turn upon them, it would be easy to 

 retreat by crossing the quagmire, which, though firm 

 enough to support a man, would not bear the weight of a 

 Buffalo. They advanced accordingly, and, under shelter 

 of the bushes, approached with such advantage, that the 

 first volley brought down three of the fattest of the herd, 



