120 The Rijle and Hound in Ceylon. 



taneous. The horse, having reared to his full height, 

 had entangled his hind legs in the grass, and he had 

 fallen backward without being touched by the buffalo, 

 although the horns were close into him. 



I was rather pleased at being so well out of this 

 scrape, and I made up my mind never again to follow 

 buffaloes into high grass. Turning toward the posi- 

 tion of the tent, I rode homeward. The plain appeared 

 deserted, and I rode for three or four miles along the 

 shores of the lake without seeing a head of game. At 

 length, when within about three miles of the encamp- 

 ment, I saw a small herd of five buffaloes and three 

 half-grown calves standing upon a narrow point of 

 muddy ground which projected for some distance into 

 the lake. 



I immediately rode toward them, and upon approach- 

 ing to within sixty yards, I found they consisted of three 

 cows, two bulls and three calves. I had advanced to- 

 ward them upon the neck of land upon which they 

 stood ; there was, therefore, no retreat for them unless 

 they took to the water. They perceived this them- 

 selves, but they preferred the bolder plan of charging 

 through all opposition and then reaching the main- 

 land. After a few preliminary grunts and tosses of the 

 head, one of the bulls charged straight at me at full 

 gallop ; he was not followed by his companions, who 

 were still irresolute ; and, when within forty yards, he 

 sprung high in the air, and pitching upon his horns, he 

 floundered upon his back as the rifle-ball passed through 

 his neck and broke his spine. I immediately com- 

 menced reloading, but the ball was only half-way down 

 the barrel when the remaining bull, undismayed by 

 the fate of his companion, rushed on at full speed 



