HUNTING THE BUFFALO. 163 



to dash the giraffe to the ground by a spring upon its 

 back. 



Although it was late and the wagons were far ahead, 

 Mr. Barrill immediately set to work to secure the heads 

 and skins of our prizes. Mine was a cow ; the one my 

 friend had killed was a magnificent bull. At the end of 

 about half an hour, we had secured our trophies, and 

 added some slices of meat to taste its quality. We then 

 remounted and rode for the wagons. But we were in luck 

 that day ; for we had not proceeded more than two miles 

 upon the wagon trail, when Mr. Barrill pointed out a 

 herd of African buffaloes, far away to our right. The im- 

 pulse was irresistible, and away we went to give these cu- 

 rious animals an illustration of our destructive propensi- 

 ties. Riding a short distance ahead, I got within about 

 seventy yards of them before they discovered me, and 

 started away. They were among the fiercest looking ani- 

 mals I had ever beheld. As they fled, they gave off a 

 strong bovine smell. Mr. Barrill selected a bull, and after 

 a short chase, during which the dangling of the giraffe 

 heads gave us much annoyance, we succeeded in firing 

 into him behind the shoulder, and a second volley, tumbled 

 him upon the plain, when we instantly dismounted to ex- 

 amine him. He bore very little resemblance to the bison, 

 or buffalo, of the American plains ; but his structure was 

 even more powerful. He was about twelve feet in length, 





