350 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



I imagine that the animals concluded that the young one was 

 attacked by some wild animal, and they determined to rescue it by 

 an attack in force, thus exhibiting their affinity to the buffalo. 

 The bull that was stretched upon the ground by the first shot was 

 probably the same that had stood sentry over the herd, but had 

 retreated to the high grass upon our approach. 



My attendant Shooli assured me that the natives frequently met 

 with accidents from the horns of this variety (A. bnbalis) when 

 following up a wounded animal in high grass. Some days after 

 this adventure I was out with the same man and another excellent 

 fellow named Gimoro. We observed a fine bull te'tel lying on the 

 ground beneath a tree, only the head and neck being visible above 

 the grass. Taking Shooli with me, I made a very successful stalk, 

 and obtained a position behind an ant-hill within GO or 70 yards of 

 the game. At this short range I could make certain of the centre 

 of the neck, without allowing the animal to rise for the shoulder 

 shot. I fired, and the head disappeared. To my surprise, a herd 

 of fifteen or twenty of the same animals dashed away from some 

 high grass and bush about 120 yards distant, and I fired my 

 remaining barrel at the most prominent, as they were disappearing 

 in the dense yellow herbage. 



The bull was lying dead ; therefore, as nothing had fallen to 

 my other bullet, we examined the tracks, and shortly discovered 

 blood upon the grass, in such quantities that we considered the 

 wounded animal could not have retreated to any great distance. 



We accordingly followed quickly upon the well-marked traces, 

 Gimoro leading, with his spear in readiness to strike. The grass 

 was so dry that it rustled as we brushed through, and there would 

 be no chance of our coming suddenly upon the te'tel. Twice we 

 heard it rush forward as we approached, and in each place it had 

 evidently been bleeding as it stood. We now went forward with 

 extreme caution, and after an advance of about 150 yards, Gimuro 

 hurled his spear, but at the same instant the te'tel charged straight 

 into him, with the spear sticking in its flank. He sprang nimbly 

 upon one side, and I shot the animal through the centre of the left 

 shoulder as it turned after the man. It fell instantly to the shot. 

 The natives thought this excellent fun, and laughed heartily at the 

 conclusion, but they assured me that great care is necessary when, 

 without a rifle, a wounded bull te'tel is followed into high grass, as 

 it is difficult to kill upon the spot by throwing a spear. 



This is the only occasion upon which I have ever seen the tetel 

 charge, but I do not doubt my informants, as they were thoroughly 

 reliable. 



