294 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



stantly attacked him with a hideous roar, and as 

 the moon shone very brightly, I could see dis- 

 tinctly the whole of their furious battle. At every 

 charge they retired some steps backwards, mak- 

 ing the sand fly in clouds, and then, with dread- 

 ful snortings and at full speed, again rushed upon 

 each other. At last the intruding buffalo received 

 such a tremendous blow, that he fled ; and the 

 conqueror, disdaining to pursue him, merely bel- 

 lowed twice, with a clear and terrific sound, that 

 re-echoed on every side, when he quietly returned 

 his companions. 



" The pleasure I had felt in beholding this 

 furious combat, was soon changed into alarm, by 

 the unexpected report of a gun ! The three buf- 

 faloes started suddenly from the water for a 

 few moments they stood together snorting with 

 rage, and then two of them rushed off in the di- 

 rection of the flash, while the third came out 

 near me, as if to search the bushes on all sides. 

 I endeavoured to get out of my bush before the 

 monster could approach ; but unfortunately I 

 became entangled in the thorns, and it was im- 

 possible to extricate myself in time. By a violent 

 effort, however, I tore myself loose, leaving most 

 of my clothes behind, and instantly began to run 

 but the furious beasl was now close I almost 

 felt his breath, and looking round saw him not 

 six paces distant, when throwing myself flat on 

 the ground, he passed over me and continued at 



