TAYMOUTH AND THE BULL. 285 



that was loaded, I but shook the snaffle-rein, just touch 

 ing the curb enough to arch the horse's neck and induce 

 him to see where .he was going, when Taymouth flew 

 after the bull, and came up with him hand over hand. 



The bull knew very well that I was pursuing him, for 

 no sooner was he aware of my approach than he turned 

 short to the right at rather less speed, evidently furious 

 to charge if he got an opportunity, and made at once for 

 a small branch creek that ran into the one we had so 

 lately crossed. On seeing his object, I pressed to within 

 thirty yards of him, in order to be on the bank he left, 

 for a slower shot at him as he ascended the opposite one ; 

 and observed more surely by his leer at me from under 

 either horn that if he had but a chance he meant mischief. 

 Quieting Taymouth as well as I could, to induce him to 

 stand still, the instant the game began to climb the 

 opposite bank I presented my carbine and fired, but the 

 unsteadiness of my horse as usual interrupted my aim, 

 and again the buffalo made play upon the plain, evidently 

 hoping that he had shut out his pursuer. Having reload 

 ed, Taymouth slipped down the bank and leaped the 

 boggy water, sprung up to the plains again on the other 

 side, and again took up the running. Precisely the 

 same thing happened again the instant the bull found 

 himself overhauled he turned short to the right and made 

 for another branch creek infinitely larger than the last ; 

 and as I pressed close upon him for the same purpose as 

 before, I saw him, at a gallop and without the smallest 

 pause, go right over the edge of the high bank, and dis 

 appear from my view. 



t On gaining the exact spot where he disappeared, I per 

 ceived the creek was very wide and swampy, and full of 

 high reeds, but from my commanding position I ought to 



