THE MAN HUNTERS 



buffalo. Without another word each man rose to his feet 

 and the chase was continued. 



We had not gone very far when we reaUzed that we 

 were close upon our quarry. In the distance I heard a 

 breaking twig and simultaneously a gentle pull at my 

 sleeve made me look round cautiously. My hunter friend 

 was staring back on our track where there was an ominous 

 crashing of bush as the buffalo, who had circled round, 

 suddenly turned and charged down upon us. Dropping 

 on my knee I fired just in time. The shot staggered him, 

 he swerved from his course and fell, but was instantly 

 on his feet and with lowered head again dashed onwards 

 towards me. There was not a moment to be lost for he 

 was now almost on top of me. I had no time to take care- 

 ful aim, but as good fortune would have it my shot found 

 its mark and the great "King" of the herd lay dead at our 

 feet. 



The news of the kill spread far and wide in the mys- 

 terious wilderness way, and the forest dwellers hastened 

 from their remotest fastnesses to meet the returning 

 hunters. For my part I hastened back by the forest track 

 and found the bereaved mother reclining with her back 

 against the trunk of a giant tree, her hands folded in 

 front of her in quiet contentment; with eyes glistening 

 with tears of joy she welcomed us back from the chase. 

 No mere words were spoken, but her "Thank you" was 

 none the less eloquent for all that. 



67 



