

chap, vi. BUFFALO-SHOOTING A T MINNERIA LAKE. 127 



and I therefore mounted my horse and rode over the 

 plain. The buffaloes were very wild, as I had been 

 shooting here for some days, and there were no less 

 than forty-two carcasses scattered about the plain in 

 different directions. I fired several ineffectual shots 

 at immense ranges ; at length I even fired at random 

 into a large herd, which seemed determined to take to 

 the jungle. After they had galloped for a quarter of 

 a mile, a cow dropped to the rear and presently fell. 

 Upon riding up to her I found her in the last gasp ; 

 the random shot had struck her behind the shoulder, 

 and I finished her by a ball in the head. One of the 

 bulls from this herd had separated from the troop, 

 and had taken to the lake ; he had waded out for 

 about 400 yards, and was standing shoulder- 

 deep. This was a fine target ; a black spot upon the 

 bright surface of the lake, although there was not 

 more than eighteen inches of his body above the 

 water. I rode to the very edge of the lake, and then 

 dismounting I took a rest upon my saddle. My horse, 

 being well accustomed to this work, stood like a 

 statue, but the ball dapped in the water just beyond 

 the mark. The buffalo did not move an inch until the 

 third shot. This hit him, and he swam still farther off ; 

 but he soon got his footing, and again gave a fair 

 mark as before. I missed him again, having fired a 

 little over him. The fifth shot brought luck and sank 

 him. I do not know where he was hit, as of course I 



