SOUTHERN AFRICA. 163 



whip-like tails erect^ then passed in order of review, and 

 immediatel}- afterAvards two bull hufFaloes were observed 

 within pistol shot. It was a perfect panorama of g-amej I 

 had with g-reat difficulty restrained Piet from firing'^ and was 

 almost within reach of the bucks, when a Hottentot suddenly 

 discharging- his g'un put every thing- to flig-ht. The buffaloes 

 passed me quite close on their way to the hills. I fractured 

 the hind leg" of the larg-est, and mounting* my horse, closed 

 with him immediately, and after two g'allant charg*es per- 

 formed upon three leg's, he fell, never to rise ag-ain. This 

 was a noble specimen of the African buffalo, standing- sixteen 

 hands and a half at the shoulder. His ponderous horns 

 measured four feet from tip to tip, and like a mass of rock, 

 overshadowing- his small sinister g-rey eyes, imparted to his 

 countenance the most cunning', g'looni}', and vindictive ex- 

 pression. The savag'es instanth' set to ^vork upon the carcase 

 with their teeth and assag-ais — Piet providing- himself with 

 portions of the hide for shoe soles, and of the flesh, which, 

 though coarse, is a tolerable imitation of beef. 



From the summit of a hill which commanded an extensive 

 prospect over a strag-gling- forest, I shortty afterwards per- 

 ceived a larg-e herd of buffaloes, quietly chewing- the cud 

 beneath an umbrag-eous tree. Creeping- close upon them, 

 I killed a bull with a sing-le ball, but the confused echo, 

 which reverberated among- the mountains, alarming- the 

 survivors, about fifty in number, they dashed panic-stricken 

 from their concealment, ig-norant whence the sound pro- 

 ceeded ; and ever3^tliing- j^ielding- to their g-iant streng-th, I 

 narrowly escaped being- trampled under-foot in their progress. 

 AVe moved five miles to the eastward in the afternoon, 

 stopping to take up the head of the buffalo, which Andries 

 could with difficult}^ lift upon the w^aggon. Myriads of 

 vultures, and the clouds of smoke which arose from the fires 

 of the giant and his associates, directed us to the spot. In 



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