i2o THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. vi. 



herd in the distance, ranged up together, and gazing 

 intently at some object near them. Being on horse- 

 back I rode up to them, carrying my heavy rifle ; and, 

 upon a near approach I discovered two large bulls 

 fighting furiously. This combat was exciting the at- 

 tention of the herd, who retreated upon my approach. 

 The two bulls were so engaged in their duel that they 

 did not notice me until I was within fifty yards of 

 them. First one, then the other, was borne to the 

 ground, when presently their horns became locked 

 together, as though arm in arm. The more they 

 tugged to separate themselves, the tighter they held 

 together, and at length they ranged side by side, 

 Taking a shot at the shoulder of the nearest bull, they 

 both fell suddenly to the ground. The fall unlocked 

 their horns, and one bull recovering his legs, retreated 

 at a slow pace and dead lame. The nearest bull was 

 killed, and. mounting my horse I galloped after the 

 wounded buffalo. The chase did not last long. 

 Upon arriving within fifty yards of his flank, I noticed 

 the blood streaming from his mouth, and he presently 

 rolled over and died. The ball, having passed through 

 his antagonist, had entered his shoulder, and, smash- 

 ing the shoulder-blade, had passed through the body, 

 lodging in the tough hide upon his opposite side, from 

 which I extracted it by dimply cutting the skin which 

 covered it. 



I have frequently seen the bull buffaloes fight each 



