JO TALES OF A NOMAD. 



as close to the roots as I could. He could not get at 

 me, for the width of his horns was too great to allow 

 him to get his head well under the stout branches which 

 sprang from the root, nor could he get near enough to 

 trample me with his hoofs ; but he did the next best 

 thing, he battered my back and shoulders with his 

 nose. I tried to seize him by the tongue and in so 

 doing cut my hand against his teeth. Every time I 

 tried to draw breath he gave me another thump between 

 the shoulders, knocking all the wind out of me. I heard 

 a sort of roaring sound in my ears as if I were taking a 

 long dive, and a mist seemed to cloud my vision. I 

 remember distinctly that I felt no pain, and only thought 

 to myself, " Well, here is an end of me ". I then became 

 insensible. 



When I came to again, Langa and Pandela were prop- 

 ping me up and pouring water over my head, and blood 

 was oozing from my lips. 



It appears that when I lay perfectly still, the buffalo 

 walked away a few yards and halted. He then returned, 

 as though [meditating further mischief, and began paw- 

 ing the ground and arching his back preparatory to lying 

 down. I suppose his idea was to lie down in order that 

 he might turn his head on one side, insert one horn 

 under the tree and extract me like a periwinkle. I was 

 however saved by the courage and readiness of Pandela, 

 who seeing that if the buffalo succeeded in carrying out 

 his intention, it would be all up with me, rushed up, 

 hurled his assegai at the buffalo and then fled. 



The buffalo left me and went in pursuit of Pandela. 

 There was a sapling with a projecting bough. Pandela 

 being an active fellow swung himself up by the bough. 

 The buffalo dashed against the trunk, knocking off a 



