256 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



charged me, but my trusty steed was too active for her, 

 and I bowled her over with two good shots in the shoul-, 

 der. I then rode up to assist Mr. O. Two of the four 

 buffaloes were lying wounded in the bush. Riding up 

 within forty yards of them, I fired into a fine old cow, 

 when she and her comrade broke bay, and took down 

 to the river. Some of my dogs now came up to my 

 assistance, and brought the wounded buffalo to bay in 

 the stream, and two more shots laid her low. 



I then rode to meet my wagons, which were stand- 

 ing on the rising ground above ; and as I was direct- 

 ing my men where to draw up, I observed two more 

 buffaloes coming down the river's side, which, observ- 

 ing us, took shelter in a belt of lofty reeds. Most of 

 my dogs having come up, I resolved to have another 

 chase, and rode straight for the reeds where the buffa- 

 loes had disappeared. I came right upon a noble bull, 

 within four yards of him. Fortunately for me, he did 

 not charge, but broke away up the river side, followed 

 by the dogs. He led me a sharp chase, and came to 

 bay at last, when he fell with two shots within thirty 

 yards of the second cow I had shot in the commence- 

 ment of the chase. This made five old buffaloes I had 

 bagged out of the herd ; Mr. O. bagged his two, making 

 in all seven. 



After breakfast I dispatched men with two spans of 

 oxen, directing them to select four of the fattest buffa- 

 loes and drag them to the wagons. All hands were 

 busy butchering and salting until sundown. In the 

 evening I went out with my rifle in quest of a buffalo 

 calf which had been left by the herd in the morning. 

 On observing me, the savage young buffalo, to my ut- 

 ter astonishment, turned upon me, and charged down 

 in the most determined manner. I stood his charge, 



