244 A SUDDEN MEETING. 



and arranged so that we should approach them from 

 the leeward side. Monyosi seemed to be more careful 

 and cautious in his approach to these buffaloes than I had 

 ever seen him with elephants. This, I afterwards learnt, 

 was caused by his having been knocked heels over head 

 and nearly killed by a wounded buffalo, some months 

 before I made his acquaintance. I allowed Monyosi to 

 lead, taking care to follow close to his elbow; the two 

 other Kaffirs bringing up the rear of the cavalcade. 



We were expecting to come upon the buffaloes at every 

 turn, and each muscle of Monyosi' s well formed figure was 

 seen as though strung in readiness for a spring to the 

 right or left. I looked round to see if the two Kaffirs 

 were following close, and upon again turning my head, 

 saw Monyosi bringing his gun up to his shoulder. Kaffirs 

 generally fire very slowly, and I had time to notice that 

 a buffalo was standing looking at us about five paces 

 distant, to take a quick aim at his forehead, and fire at the 

 same instant with Monyosi. 



None of us waited to see what was the result of our 

 fire, but each bolted as hard as his legs could carry him 

 in the particular direction that the path nearest him 

 might lead. I turned round and made play down that 

 by which we had approached, but fancying that I heard 

 the branches crashing behind me, I dodged short to the 

 right up a convenient cross path. This proceeding was 

 only just in time, as I saw, on looking round, that two 

 buffaloes had charged down the same path that I had first 

 followed ; one of them was evidently disposed to be mis- 

 chievous, as he stopped and turned after me. Dropping 



