34 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



The buffalo is considered by all hunters a far more 

 dangerous animal to encounter than the lion, and almost 

 as formidable as the elephant or rhinoceros. When 

 wounded, he has an ugly trick of lying in wait, hidden 

 in the bush, with only his nose out ; and turning the 

 tables on the pursuer by making an unexpected charge. 

 Many hunters have been killed in this manner by 

 infuriated buffaloes. 



When T was hunting in the interior some years 



before, a friend who was there with him met with an 

 exciting adventure. Having come across a herd of 

 buffaloes he fired into the midst of them ; then, unaware 

 that he had wounded one of the animals, he rode in 

 pursuit of the herd. On coming up with them, he 

 dismounted, and was just preparing to fire again, when 

 a shout from his brother, who was behind, made him 

 look round, just in time to see the wounded buffalo, 

 which had emerged from the bush, charging him fu- 

 riously. He gave him both barrels, each shot striking 

 him in the centre of the forehead ; but, as the buffalo- 

 always charges with his nose in the air, both bullets 



glanced off, and Mr. B escaped only by a quick 



jump on one side. The buffalo passed him ; then turn- 

 ing round, tossed and killed the horse. The next shot 

 finished the buffalo's career ; and on the great head, 

 which has been kept as a trophy, are the marks of the 

 two first bullets, showing how calm was the presence 

 of mind, and how true the aim, in that moment of 

 danger. 



Another of T 's hunting companions, chased in a 



