24b THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. x. 



tree, which was concealed beneath, tripped up the 

 horse's fore legs, and in an instant he was on his nose, 

 turning a complete somersault. I was pitched some 

 yards, and upon instinctively mounting again, the 

 sparks were dancing in my eyes for some seconds 

 before I recovered myself, as we continued the chase 

 with unabated speed. 



We pressed along up some rising ground, having 

 lost sight of the game ; and as we reached the top of 

 the hill I looked around and saw the buck at bay 

 about a hundred paces from me, upon fine level 

 ground, fighting face to face with the dog, who sprang 

 boldly at his head. That buck was a noble fellow ; 

 he rushed at the dog, and they met like knights 

 in a tournament ; but it was murderous work ; he 

 received the reckless hound upon his sharp antlers and 

 bored him to the ground. In another instant Killbuck 

 had recovered himself, and he again came in full fly 

 at the buck's face with wonderful courage ; again the 

 buck rushed forward to meet him, and once more 

 the pointed antlers pinned the dog, and the buck, 

 following up his charge, rolled him over and over for 

 some yards. 



By this time I had galloped up, and I was within a 

 few feet of the buck, when he suddenly sprang round 

 with the evident intention of charging the horse. In 

 the same moment Killbuck seized the opportunity, and 

 the buck plunged violently upon the ground, with the 



