288 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



and trotting past within thirty yards of me. As I had not the 

 remotest idea where the elands were, on account of the dust, I 

 whispered to Ramazan to keep a sharp look-out on the right, 

 whilst I kept watch on the left, the side towards the watercourse. 

 Suddenly I was rather taken aback by hearing the buffaloes 

 advancing apparently straight towards me, as I could distinctly 

 hear them grunting, some of the cows, probably those with 

 calves, being particularly noisy. Thinking it better to be well 

 prepared for them, and on the safe side, I turned round and 

 beckoned to Ramazan to crawl up nearer to me with the 4-bore, 

 although I already had the 8-bore and "500 Express by my side. 

 Shortly afterwards I felt him grip me by the leg, but on turning 

 my head saw, not the elands, but several cow buffaloes, the 

 leaders of the herd, advancing towards us, a little to the right 

 of our position, and I confess I breathed more freely ; not that 

 I think there was much danger, but I was so anxious if possible 

 to avoid firing at anything but eland, as it would have lessened 

 my chance of getting one of these beasts. As it was, the 

 buffaloes all passed at a quick shambling walk within sixty yards 

 of me, and I was at one time sorely tempted to have a shot at 

 a grand bull with beautiful wide spreading horns, which passed 

 within forty yards. I may mention that I believe I got this 

 identical bull a day or two afterwards if so, my forbearance was 

 rewarded. 



When the buffaloes had gone past, the air became a little 

 clearer, and I had the satisfaction of seeing the elands bringing 

 up the rearguard at a gentle trot, still some 200 yards off, 

 coming in such a direction that they would pass between 

 myself and the watercourse. On they came, quite unconscious 

 of my presence, and stopped just about 100 yards from my left 

 front, although all the other game had stampeded after passing us 

 and getting our wind. There were two good bulls in the herd, 

 but the best one had lagged behind with two cows, which provok- 

 ingly stood between him and myself and prevented my taking 

 a shot as they stood, so that I had to wait until they moved on 

 again. This they did at a walk, as my men were fairly good at 



