46 The Rifle and Hound in Ceylon. 



level plain, and on the opposite shores of the lake were 

 many dark patches undistinguishable in the distance ; 

 these were in reality herds of buffaloes. There was 

 not a sound in the wide expanse before us, except the 

 harsh cry of the water-fowl that our presence had 

 already disturbed — not a breath of air moved the leaves 

 of the trees which shaded us — and the whole scene 

 was that of undisturbed nature. The sun had now sunk 

 low upon the horizon, and the air was comparatively 

 cool. The multitude of buffaloes enchanted us, and 

 with our two light double-barrels we advanced to the 

 attack of the herd before us. 



We had not left the obscurity of the forest many sec- 

 onds before we were observed. The herd started up 

 from their muddy bed and gazed at us with astonish- 

 ment. It was a fair open plain of some thousand acres, 

 bounded by the forest which we had just quitted on the 

 one side, and by the lake on the other ; thus there was 

 no cover for our advance, and all we could do was to 

 push on. 



As we approached the herd they ranged up in a com- 

 ^ct body, presenting a very regular line in front. 

 From this line seven large bulls stepped forth, and from 

 their vicious appearance seemed disposed to show fight. 

 In the mean time we wei'e running up, and were soon 

 within thirty paces of them. At this distance the main 

 body of the herd suddenly wheeled round and thundered 

 across the plain in full retreat. One of the bulls at the 

 same moment charged straight at us, but when within 

 twenty paces of the guns he turned to one side and 

 instantly received two balls in the shoulder, B. and I 

 having fired at the same moment. As luck would have 

 it, his blade-bone was thus broken, and he fell upon his 



