184 SAVAGE SUDAN 



asked Lowe to finish this beast with the Winchester. 

 The effect of two well-placed bullets from that less power- 

 ful rifle was merely to set the fallen buffalo on his legs 

 again. In two steps he vanished from our view both 

 my buffaloes had vanished. 



The situation had become involved. I had hit fair 

 and square two buffalo bulls ; but neither was in hand, 

 nor was anything in sight save viewless bush. But from 

 beyond the narrow limits of vision came a tell-tale index ; 

 a chorus of subdued bellowing -told that the great bovines 

 were still close on our front, and with them, presumably, 

 the two stricken beasts. Therefore, with a caution that 

 not even Agag knew (since a wounded buffalo presents the 

 most perilous proposition of all), we advanced to investi- 

 gate. Within brief moments was disclosed to view an 

 extraordinary spectacle. In an open, amidst deep grass, 

 we descried the indication of a prostrate form ; but 

 alongside it stood others, pushing and poking their 

 fallen friend with their muzzles even "horning" him 

 to an accompaniment of confidential grunts, snorts, and 

 bellows. The object was clear to arouse their pal to 

 a sense of danger, "wake up, Bill!" surely a striking 

 scene in wild - life and of animal - sympathy ? The 

 spectacle certainly fascinated us ; but, while yet watching, 

 a sudden development distracted all merely platonic 

 interest. From broad on our right came a crash in 

 the brushwood and there loomed up the apparition of 

 another great buffalo bull, making straight towards where 

 we stood. Precisely what were that buffalo's intentions 

 or what his frame of mind I know not, nor stopped to 

 inquire one hasty glimpse revealed a broad muzzle 

 carried horizontal and a mass of grass and bush stuck 

 across the horns. Without spoken word, by mutual 

 instinct we fled. During the advance, and in due antici- 

 pation of such contingencies, I had taken the precaution 

 of noting a tree which seemed to lend itself for purposes of 

 refuge. It sprang from the summit of an ant-hill and 



