CREATURES OF THE WILDERNESS 87 



and is very fond of wallowing in swamps and 

 waterholes, as its splay feet are of wonderful 

 assistance when it wants to get quickly over 

 soft ground. This furnishes a favourite subject 

 for heated argument as to whether the animal 

 gradually developed splay feet because it liked 

 walking in treacherous places, or whether, on 

 the other hand, it took to marshes because it 

 realised that its feet were suited to such 

 conditions. To some extent, no doubt, such 

 discussions show intelligence, but the ques- 

 tioners would show more if they did not always 

 supply the answer according to their own fancy, 

 and as positively as if the matter admitted of 

 no further doubt. It is a pity to be drawn into 

 taking up this cocksure attitude, and is far 

 better to keep an open mind. Someone has 

 remarked that dogmatism is puppyism grown 

 up. Anyway, it is a vice best avoided early, or 

 it soon grows on us. There are so many 

 clever people in the world who know everything, 

 that a few of us can well afford to be ignorant 

 and own up to it. Like most wild oxen, the 

 buffalo has amazing vitality. Unless killed 

 outright by the first or second shot it dies very 

 hard. Major Talbot tells me that on one 

 occasion he saw one of these animals knocked 

 down four times in succession, and each time it 

 scrambled to its feet and charged again. When 

 at length the old warrior was skinned, its body 



