f26 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. vi. 



scattered over the surface. A large bull was standing 

 alone about half a mile from the tent, and I thought 

 him a fine beast to begin with. 



I started with two well-known and trusty gun- 

 bearers. This bull apparently did not wish to fight, 

 and when at nearly 400 yards' distance he turned and 

 galloped off. I put up all the sights of the long two- 

 ounce rifle, and for an instant he dropped to the shot 

 at this distance, but recovering immediately he turned 

 round, and, although upon only three legs, he charged 

 towards me. At this distance I should have had 

 ample time to reload before he could have come near 

 me, so I took a quiet shot at him with my four-ounce 

 rifle. A second passed, and he pitched upon his head 

 and lay upon the ground, struggling in vain to rise. 

 This was an immensely long shot to produce so im- 

 mediate an effect ; so reloading quickly I stepped the 

 distance. I measured 352 paces, and I then stood 

 within ten yards of him, as he still lay upon the 

 ground, endeavouring vainly to rush at me. A ball in 

 his head settled him. The first shot had broken his 

 hind leg — and the shot with the big rifle had hit him 

 on the nose, and, tearing away the upper jaw, it had 

 passed along his neck and escaped from behind his 

 shoulder. This was a great chance to hit him so 

 exactly at such a range. His skull is now in Eng- 

 land, exhibiting the terrific effect of the heavy ball. 

 I had made up my mind for a long day's work, 



