chaf. x. DEATH OF KILLBUCK. zafi 



staunch dog hanging upon his throat. I jumped off 

 my horse, and the buck fell dead by a thrust with the 

 knife behind the shoulder. 



I now examined the dog ; he was wounded in 

 several places, but as he bled but little, I hoped that 

 his apparent exhaustion arose more from the fatigue 

 of the fight than from any severe injury. 



At this time Bran and Lena came up ; they had 

 lost their deer in some high lemon grass, but they also 

 were both wounded by the buck's horns. I now put 

 Killbuck and Lena together in the slips, and with the 

 buck, carried upon cross-poles by six men, I rode 

 towards the tent. I had not proceeded far when the 

 man who was leading the greyhounds behind my horse 

 suddenly cried out, and on turning round I saw Kill- 

 buck lying on the ground. I was at his side in a 

 moment, and I released his neck from the slips. It 

 was too late ; his languid head fell heavily upon the 

 earth ; he gave me one parting look, and after a few 

 faint gasps he was gone. 



I could hardly believe he was dead. Taking 

 off my cap, I ran to a little stream and brought 

 some water, which I threw in his face ; but his 

 teeth were set, his eyes were glazed, and the best and 

 truest dog that was ever born was dead. Poor Kill- 

 buck ! he had died like a hero, and though I grieved 

 over him, I could not have wished him a more glorious 

 death. 



