THE DEATH. 85 



carcase of my buck. They were of the big spotted 

 species, and, therefore, larger and heavier than any 

 mastiff. Of course I could easily have shot them, 

 but I thought, I'll wait for " old bull," who I could 

 hear was not now far astern. 



In the meantime the plunderers had seen me, and 

 the smaller of them, thinking that prudence was better 

 than valour, stole off. But no such intention seemed 

 to actuate the larger, for, although he glowered at 

 me, he continued to tear off large portions of flesh 

 and swallow them without the slightest attempt at 

 mastication. 



Had I advanced upon this brute he, doubtless, 

 would have given way ; but that was not my game, 

 as I have previously said. With a rush that was 

 distinctly audible from the breaking off and parting 

 of the dry brush and grass, up came " old bull," 

 panting like a high-pressure engine. With a shout 

 I cheered him on, but even that he did not require. 

 In his passage by me the big hound joined him. In 

 an instant after, the last-mentioned made a dash at 

 the thief, which as rapidly turned to ward off the 

 attack, but this move was the hyena's death-warrant, 



