6o THROUGH GASA LAND. 



remarks result from the following adventure with 

 an old bull, which took place soon after the last 

 hunt. 



There stood my victim, grievously maimed, but 

 not dead ; yet I delayed the end. I had an excuse 

 for this, viz., I was so terribly blown — " pumped," 

 in popular parlance — that for many minutes I could 

 not have moved from the spot on which I rested, 

 even to save my life. Still, although in this tem- 

 porarily helpless condition, I was able to witness the 

 wonderful efforts that the victim made, either to 

 ascend or descend the hill side, in both of which it 

 utterly failed. Yet the poor brute showed the 

 utmost pluck and gameness, evincing by its conduct 

 that it was prepared to fight on to the bitter end. 

 It was a grand picture of courage and resolution, 

 chained as it was to the spot, and incapable of 

 retaliation upon its destroyer. Its eyes still shot 

 forth defiance ; its ears stood at right angles from its 

 body, while, almost interminably, it sounded forth 

 from its trunk, now pouring with blood, a long 

 trumpet blast of defiance. Loading my empty 

 gun gave me time to recover my breathing, and, 

 when that was accomplished, I was in a fit state to 

 complete my work. No need now for caution, for 

 the foe was, as it were, chained to the place it stood 

 upon. Still, do as I would, exercise what chicanery 

 I was cognisant of, the enemy, by extraordinary 

 exertions, ever kept its front to me. 



