144 THE STORY OF THE BUFFALO. 



plays great courage in defending its offspring against bears and wolves, and 

 cows often sacrifice their lives in behalf of their calves. 



THE CAPE BUFFALO. 



The Cape buffalo is a native of South Africa. It is exceedingly ferocious 

 and cunning, often lurking among the trees until an unsuspecting traveler 

 approaches, and then rushing on him and destroying him. The ferocious 

 creature is not content with killing its victim, but stands over him mangling 

 him with its horns, and stamping on him with its feet. 



The Cape buffalo has but two enemies — the lion and man; and the com- 

 bined assaults of these two have in some districts so reduced its numbers that 

 as far back as 1875, where there were formerly herds of from ten to one hun- 

 dred in number, not ten head are tO' be found. A combat between three lions 

 and a bull buffalo was once witnessed by me. After a game fight the buffalo 

 was vanquished. The bulls frequently engage in fights between themselves 

 I had the good fortune to witness one of these. On looking through the edge 

 of a thicket which concealed them I saw two buffalo bulls standing facing each 

 other with lowered heads, and, as I sat down to* watch, they rushed together 

 with all their force, producing a loud crash. Once their horns were interlocked, 

 they kept them so, their straining quarters telling that each was doing his best 

 to force the other backwards. Several long white marks on their necks 

 showed where they had received scratches, and blood dripping down the 

 withers of the one next me proved that he had received a more severe wound. 

 It was a magnificent sight to see the enormous animals, every muscle at its 

 fullest tension, striving for the mastery. Soon one, a very large and old 

 bull, began to yield a little, going backwards step by step, but at last, as if 

 determined to conquer or die, it dropped on its knees. The other, disengaging 

 his horns for a second, so as to gain an impetus, again rushed at him, but 

 did not strike him on the forehead, but on the neck, under the hump, and I 

 could see that with a twist of his horns he inflicted a severe wound. Instead, 

 however, of following up his advantage, this one withdrew and gave up the 

 battle. Had he pressed his advantage he would eventually have won. 



