o98 THE HUNTING GROUND 



As I looked aroupd, I noticed many objects that 

 brought " home scenes " vividly to mind, for, 

 amongst the vegetation indigenous to southern 

 climes, I noticed the wild plum, cherry, white- 

 thorn, daisy, clover, larkspur, primrose, violet, and 

 forget-me-not; besides which the full round notes 

 of the blackbird and the warbling of the missel- 

 thrush were heard high above the melody of the 

 other sylvan choristers. An exclamation of sur- 

 prise from Ahmed recalled me from this very agree- 

 able reverie, directing my attention into a widely 

 different channel, for, on passing close to a small 

 piece of dense cover, I distinctly heard the snapping 

 of sticks, followed by the tread of some heavy 

 animal over dry vegetation, and almost immediately 

 a mighty wild bull and three cows tore across the 

 plain. To loosen my rifle and spring from my 

 saddle was the work of a moment, and, taking a 

 steady aim, I planted one bullet in his hind-quarter, 

 the only part visible, as he was bolting away, and 

 the second in his broad massive shoulder as he 

 swerved round on receiving the first wound. This 

 last made him bite the dust ; but he soon regained 

 his legs, and with a loud bellow and roar of rage 

 made direct for the opposite height. I immediately 

 gave chase, and, after a sharp burst, got up along- 

 side my quarry, from whose side a stream of blood 

 was spurting as he ran. Drawing my revolver from 

 my holster, I aimed behind the ear ; but my horse 

 being fidgety and not accustomed to such kind of 



