CHAP. i. . BUFFALO. 17 



fact that a charge is made so suddenly that an instant's 

 hesitation is fatal, it is curious that for a second or two 

 one is unable to judge whether the sound is receding or 

 approaching. 



On again taking up the trail, I found that the animal 

 was bleeding heavily, and in another ten minutes I again 

 saw its black form looming through the stalks not many 

 yards off, and at once fired, as it does not do to give them 

 time to consider whether they will charge or not, but is 

 better, by the infliction of a fresh wound, to make them 

 resume their flight. This time it broke cover, and re- 

 ceived my companion's fire, who had a splendid chance at 

 it not ten yards off in the open, on which it took to the 

 dense evergreens which lined the bank ; and as a bull 

 buffalo after its second or third wound proverbially be- 

 comes very dangerous to follow, great caution was neces- 

 sary in doing so. 



My companion took up the spoor, while I kept parallel to 

 him a few yards on one side, and before many minutes had 

 passed we heard its laboured breathing close by, though 

 we were unable to see it from the thickness of the bushes ; 

 at last, however, I caught sight of it lying under a large 

 tree, and fired at its ear, the only result being a shake of 

 the head ; I next ineffectually tried the shoulder, and 

 getting emboldened, I then foolishly walked up to it with 

 my empty gun, under the belief that it could not rise. 

 The moment, however, that it caught sight of me it 

 struggled up, and I might have paid dearly for my rash- 

 ness had not Umdumela, who had occupied my vacated 

 position, at once brought it down with a well-aimed 

 shot. 



B 



