UNEXPECTED TERMINATION TO A DISPUTE. 189 



where, completely concealed among low bushes and bunch 

 grass, we lay intent upon the movements of the animals 

 below us. 



The victor having retired towards the herd, the van- 

 quished after a while advanced towards it, but was detected 

 and promptly charged by his adversary, before whom he 

 retreated sullenly, and being overtaken and severely prodded, 

 he turned and showed fight once more. The bulls were 

 almost equal in size and strength, the pursuer no doubt being 

 the master of the herd, and the pursued a claimant of the 

 dignity of that position. 



We now crept along under cover of the sand-hills, till 

 opposite the combatants, and distant from them some two 

 hundred and fifty paces ; and on drawing lots, or by some 

 mutual arrangement, it fell to me to try on them a long shot 

 with my heavy rifle, which I obtained by a cautious stalk 

 fifty paces nearer them ; and then sitting down behind a little 

 tuft of grass, I made my selection at leisure. The bulls 

 maintained the contest for supremacy, regardless of every- 

 thing but the business on hand, the cows looking on com- 

 placently from a distance, seemingly quite indifferent as to 

 the issue. The younger of the two, as showing his broadside 

 more than the other, having been chosen for the first shot, 

 I put up the two-hundred yards sight and fired. Before the 

 smack of the bullet reached my ears, the bull was down, 

 the left barrel being held in reserve in case he rose again, 

 but he never more stirred. Meanwhile, the other hearing the 

 report of the rifle, and seeing the fall of his rival, retired 

 some paces, and then turning, stared wildly around him. A 

 few minutes passed in perfect silence, the smoke of the shot 

 was blown away, and the surviving bull detecting nothing to 

 rouse his suspicions, again advanced at a run, and striking his 

 late adversary's body, lifted it partially off the ground, 

 snorting savagely at the scent of blood. Obtaining a clear 

 shot at the monster, I let drive the second barrel, and lodged 

 a heavy conical just a trifle too far back, for the wounded 

 beast trotted off head up and tail tucked in tight, to rejoin 



