BULLET AND SHOT 



of a single bull. After following these for some 

 little distance, we found that a second bull had 

 joined the first, and it was evident that the pair 

 had gone on together in amity or, at least, with- 

 out any serious disagreement for some time. 

 Then we came to a place where they had had a 

 furious " set to," the ground in a circle being 

 deeply ploughed up, and saplings broken down 

 during the tremendous duel. A little further on 

 we found another such ring, where a second 

 " mill " had taken place, and a little further still a 

 third. 



The tracks then led into those of a herd ; and 

 though we tried hard to find a bull's track going 

 off alone from the area over which the tracks of 

 the former were spread, we were quite unable to 

 do so, and were obliged at last to follow the herd, 

 believing that the two bulls had joined it. 



On coming up with the bison, I saw two or three 

 animals, but could not make out a bull ; and the 

 herd, having possibly got a hint of our presence, 

 or else on account of being worried by flies, went 

 off up a hillside. 



It was then nearly midday, and I reflected that 

 if we were to follow the bison forthwith, we should 

 be likely to come up with them when they were 

 lying down in long grass, and that it was therefore 

 advisable to give them time, and to follow the 

 animals later in the day, when they would be 

 grazing in the open. I accordingly sat down on 

 a fallen log, and ate the sandwiches which I had 

 taken out with me, my men sitting facing me 



54 



