xiv THE BUFFALO 281 



was lying upon the ground ; instead of this, the bull turned upon 

 its new assailant, and stamped and gored his body beyond recog- 

 nition. His large gold signet ring was found by the missionaries 

 some yards from his remains, and the body of the buffalo was 

 lying by his side, proving that the beast continued the savage 

 assault until the wound proved mortal ; vicious to the last gasp. 



The celebrated sword-hunters of the Hamran Arabs excel in 

 riding down the Bos Gaffer and hamstringing it with a blow of 

 the sharp sword while at full speed. I was with these people 

 on one occasion, where the rocky hills were so much against the 

 horses that they dared not venture sufficiently close to a large 

 bull, which turned to bay upon a small plateau covered with 

 boulders. The bull stood to bay for some minutes, but at length, 

 as we tried the ruse of a feigned retreat, it turned and galloped 

 down the hill. In an instant four horses clattered after it in 

 renewed pursuit, and after a run of about five minutes over the 

 most unfavourable ground, which precluded all attempts at 

 closing with the game, the bull reached a narrow but impervious 

 jungle. My artful allies now rode to the opposite side to wind- 

 ward, and having thereby given their wind to the hunted animal, 

 they shouted, and threw stones into the jungle, in order, if 

 possible, to drive the buffalo within sight of myself on the other 

 side. 



I presently heard something moving among the tangled 

 branches, and being on a steady horse I rode to the extreme edge. 

 I now saw the buffalo standing in the deep shade, broadside on, 

 exposing the shoulder to a deadly shot. Taking the steadiest 

 aim, exactly behind the shoulder-joint, with my handy little 24 

 bore, and only 2|- drams of fine grained powder, I fired. The 

 buffalo did not flinch, or respond in any way to the shot. I re- 

 loaded, but before the bullet was rammed completely home, the 

 animal reeled to the right and left, and fell. It was dead, 

 struck through the centre of the lungs, and the bullet was dis- 

 covered in a rib upon the opposite side. Here was an instance 

 where a large and powerful beast was killed by a single shot from 

 an inferior weapon, but this was an exception, as such a chance 

 seldom occurs of obtaining a quiet shot within 30 yards exactly 

 at right angles with the shoulder. It will be seen from the 

 description I have given from my own experience that the buffalo 

 should be held in due respect, and that no unnecessary risks 

 should be thoughtlessly encountered. Above all, do not follow 

 a wounded bull into a thick jungle, or you will assuredly liave 

 trouble ; it is a common trick for a badly wounded beast to turn 



