A few yards from where the buffalo had stood we 

 picked up the blood spoor. There was not very much 

 of it, but we saw from the marks on the bushes here 

 and there, and more distinctly on some grass further 

 on, that the wound was pretty high up and on the 

 right side. Crossing a small stretch of more open bush 

 we reached the dense growth along the banks of the 

 stream, and as this continued up into the kloof it was 

 clear we had a tough job before us. 



Animals when badly wounded nearly always leave 

 the herd, and very often go down wind so as to be 

 able to scent and avoid their pursuers. This fellow 

 had followed the herd up wind, and that rather puzzled 

 us. 



A wounded buffalo in thick bush is considered to 

 be about as nasty a customer as any one may desire 

 to tackle ; for, its vindictive indomitable courage and 

 extraordinary cunning are a very formidable combina- 

 tion, as a long list of fatalities bears witness. Its 

 favourite device so old hunters will [tell you is to 

 make off down wind when hit, and after going for some 

 distance, come back again in a semi-circle to intersect 

 its own spoor, and there under good cover lie in wait 

 for those who may follow up. 



This makes the sport quite as interesting as need 

 be, for the chances are more nearly even than they 

 generally are in hunting. The buffalo chooses the 

 ground that suits its purpose of ambushing its enemy, 

 and naturally selects a spot where concealment is 

 possible ; but, making every allowance for this, it 

 seems little short of a miracle that the huge black 

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