18 LARGE GAME. chap. i. 



While engaged in finishing this last buffalo we heard 

 a tremendous fusilade going on up the river, as many as 

 thirty or forty shots having been fired since we quitted the 

 reeds, and as there did not seem to be any more fresh 

 spoor about, we made the best of our way in the direction 

 thus indicated. Half an hour at a steady trot brought us in 

 sight of the Dutchmen's party, from which it proceeded, 

 and we were at once told that no less than three troops of 

 buffalo had been forced into the reeds, that the firing we 

 had heard was while they were engaged in driving them 

 in, and that, although there were a considerable number 

 wounded, only three had been killed. 



The scene was a curious one, and well worthy a descrip- 

 tion. The river-bottom was here about a quarter of a 

 mile broad, and extended for about a mile in a straight 

 line ; it was filled to within ten yards of the banks — which 

 were clothed with the densest jungle — with a level sea of 

 waving reeds, in which the buffalo were standing ; on each 

 side stood a Dutchman, attended by a little knot of 

 favourite hunters, the remainder of whom, to the number 

 of about forty, lined the whole banks. Several rhinoceros- 

 birds were hurrying about, alighting in the reeds, or rising 

 with their harsh cries, unwilling to be driven from their 

 food, while high aloft were circling a number of black 

 dots — vultures — who had already scented the coming 

 slaughter. 



It spoke volumes for the dread in which the reeds are 

 held that out of some fifty hunters certainly not more than 

 ten, if so many, were inside, the remainder waiting with- 

 out for anything that might come their way, but as far 

 the best shooting was to be had inside, Umdumela and I 



