THE HERD IN FLIGHT. 79 



them, but as there was no cliance of a shot at him 

 now, I took what I fancied to be an old bull (but which 

 subsequently turned out to be an old cow), fired at 

 the upper part of his breast as he stood straight on to 

 me, and had the satisfaction to see him fall on the 

 spot. Away went the herd again, and away I went 

 after them, reloading the breechloader as I ran, not 

 even looking at the fallen cow. I was determined to 

 have the big bull, if possible. 



This w^as a long chase, and I was well-nigh run out 

 when the herd began to slacken its pace. They then 

 pulled up to a walk, and I had got to within twenty 

 yards of their rear, blowing like a porpoise, when 

 with one consent they turned round. There was I 

 standing out in bold relief for them, there being no 

 underwood of any description around. Scarcely had 

 they caught sight of me, before they wheeled, and 

 were oiF again ; but as they did so, I got a splendid 

 shot at a cow within some twenty-five yards of me, as 

 she stood rubbing her shins with her jaw. The shot 

 taking effect just at the ear, she fell stone dead on the 

 spot (as if she had been shot !). 



Again the herd were in flight, and the severe exer- 

 cise was evidently beginning to tell on them, as this 

 time their pace was so reduced, that I had no difii- 

 culty in keeping pretty close to them, but nowhere 

 could I see the large bull. I fancy he must either 

 have been leading them, or have separated from 

 them altogether. 



They soon pulled up again, and a fine young bull 

 walked angrily out from the herd, and stood bellow- 

 ing with rage some fifteen yards on their left, and 



