244 THE HUNTERS ARCADIA. 



his fire, but what good would that do ? The mischief 

 was done already, for, fire or not, he could not now 

 avoid the contest. But puff went the rifle. The bullet 

 hit, I thought, in the head, for the brute shook it 

 violently about for some seconds, and then came on 

 with a rush. Your countryman stood his ground 

 well, and gave the mad beast another shot. This took 

 effect for a moment, for it caused the bull to stumble 

 for a stride or two ; but nothing more. To shove 

 cartridges into the breeches of his rifle there was 

 not time, so ' my lord ' adopted the last chance he 

 had of escape, and, under the circumstances, it 

 was a poor one poor as could be made a run 

 for it. 



" While this was taking place I and my people 

 were doing our best to render our friend what help 

 we could, but without fire-arms it was little enough 

 indeed, excepting that it was just possible that we could 

 draw off the beast's attention from him. However, 

 that chance seemed to be denied us, for, before we 

 were a hundred yards from the scene, the buffalo 

 caught its enemy in the back and sent him spinning 

 head over heels for many a yard in its rear. Fortu- 

 nately the grass was rather long where he fell, and he 

 had the sense to lie still, so the bull lost sight of him. 



