A Bright Thought. 49 



other within ten paces. I began to think buffalo-shoot- 

 ing somewhat dangerous, and I would have given 

 something to have been a mile away, but ten times as 

 much to have had my four-ounce rifle in my hand. 

 Oh how I longed for that rifle in this moment of sus- 

 pense ! Unloaded, without the power of defence, with 

 the absolute certainty of a charge from an overpower- 

 ing brute, my hand instinctively found the handle of 

 my hunting-knife, a useless weapon against such a foe. 



Knowing that B. was not aware of my situation at 

 the distance which separated us (about a mile), with- 

 out taking my eyes from the figure before me I raised 

 my hand to my mouth and gave a long and loud whistle ; 

 this was a signal that I knew would be soon answered 

 if heard. 



With a stealthy step and another short grunt, the 

 bull again advanced a couple of paces toward me. 

 He seemed aware of my helplessness, and he was the 

 picture of rage and fury, pawing the water and stamp- 

 ing violently with his fore-feet. 



This was very pleasant ! I gave myself up for lost, 

 but putting as fierce an expression into my features as 

 I could possibly assume, I stared hopelessly at my mad- 

 dened antagonist. 



Suddenly a bright thought flashed through my mind. 

 Without taking my eyes off the animal before me, I put 

 a double charge of powder down the right-hand barrel, 

 and, tearing off a piece of my shirt, I took all the money 

 from my pouch, three shillings in sixpenny pieces, and 

 two anna pieces, which I luckily had with me in this 

 small coin for paying coolies. Quickly making them 

 into a rouleau with the piece of rag, I rammed them 

 down the barrel, and they were hardly well home 

 6 D 



