chap. i. BUFFALO. 31 



good deal, and were not inclined to stop soon when once 

 they were disturbed ; but at last we heard them breaking 

 through the bush on the outside of which we were, and a 

 smart run to cut them off ensued, in which I was able to 

 pass the others and to be within two hundred yards 

 when, after galloping through a small open in view, they 

 pulled up and faced round to have a look at us ere they 

 took refuge in the next thicket, — a pause that I took 

 advantage of to fire both barrels at them. I had hardly 

 expected to do anything, as I had a smooth bore ; but was 

 agreeably surprised on reaching the spot to find a drop 

 or two of blood on the spoor, and just inside the thicket 

 to find a young bull lying dead, while the continuation 

 of the blood-marks showed that both bullets had taken 

 effect. After again following them for over an hour, 

 during which they turned and twisted in and out of the 

 numerous Bamba 'mpalla thickets, we found them enter 

 one of rather greater extent ; and as I had somehow got 

 last, on seeing an opening parallel to the one down which 

 we were going, I struck into it, hoping to get on faster. 

 Just at this moment the buffalo could be heard breaking 

 in front ; and finding that I had got into a cul-de-sac, I 

 had to turn back and follow the others, which I did at a 

 run. Suddenly I heard a shot, and a buffalo charging, 

 and quickening my pace, was in time to see the second 

 hunter — a miserable coward — throw his loaded gun down 

 and climb into a small tree. Everything in front of him 

 was concealed by the smoke ; but just as he left the path 

 his place was occupied by a buffalo's head, the owner of 

 which instantly catching sight of me, came on with a 

 grunt. I had neither time to fire nor run before it struck 



