OF THE OLD WORLD. 277 



snatch up my second gun as a mighty bull and 

 seven females dashed hurriedly past at a distance 

 of about fifty paces. I threw up my rifle, and, 

 aiming behind the ear, let drive a couple of snap- 

 shots for the chance of stopping him, the last of 

 which took effect, for it brought him to his knees ; 

 but he immediately regained his legs, and, separating 

 from the females, tore frantically through the forest, 

 which he made resound with his angry roar. 



I snatched my second spare gun from Googooloo, 

 (a heavy two-ounce double rifle,) and, jumping down 

 the bank, ran with all speed to cut him off at the 

 gorge, which was extremely narrow, as the torrent 

 made its way between a huge cleft in the rock, 

 through which I knew he must pass in order to 

 join the rest of the herd. I was running down the 

 bed of the stream, on either side of which rose high 

 banks, when I heard a rattling noise among the 

 stones behind me, and on turning my head I saw 

 the wounded bull tearing after me, with his eyes 

 flashing fire and his tail straight on end, about forty 

 paces distant. 



Speed I knew would not avail me ; he would have 

 been down upon me before I could have clambered 

 up the bank, so I swung round and dropped on my 

 knee, to take a more steady aim. 



On he charged with a fiendish shriek of revenge ; 

 I let him come to within fifteen paces, when I let 

 drive, aiming between his eyes (my favourite shot) ; 

 but whether it was that I was unsteady, being 



