1 84 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



after making good their escape they were able at their 

 leisure to pick out one another's stings. Fortunately 

 these bees do not cause much more than momentary pain ; 

 but whether this is due to a weakness in their own 

 powers, or to the process of tanning that our skins have 

 undergone, is a problem much too scientific for us to 

 solve, though hardly a day passes without our experi- 

 encing a practical proof of the fact. 



In the afternoon Essafi took me on foot to a wood 

 near here, and, after wandering about in it for some 

 time, we came unexpectedly upon a buffalo lying down 

 about thirty yards off, and facing us. I had with me 

 Vivian's single Henry '577-bore, loaded with hardened 

 ball, and as the buffalo looked up before rising I shot 

 him in the front of the neck, and death was so instan- 

 taneous that, beyond falling over on one side, he never 

 moved again. It is the finest head I have yet obtained ; 

 but what is of most importance is the fact that this 

 fatal shot has given me such confidence in the killing 

 powers of the rifle that I shall try it upon the next 

 rhinoceros I find. Vivian would lend me his ten-bore 

 alternate days, but after the ill-luck of my big gun I 

 fear to use it, and prefer taking my chance with the 

 Henry, though it is but a single one. We have also in 

 reserve a twelve-bore rifle, but we fear it carries too 

 small a charge of powder to be of any use. 



On our return for camels to bring the buffalo home, 



