THE BUFFALO. 89 



of a pair of bull's horns measuring twelve feet seven inches from tip to tip, and thick in 

 proportion. 



Cows' horns, though much slenderer, are, as a rule, longer than those of the bull. I have 

 heard of a pair measuring over thirteen feet. 



Buffaloes usually frequent the densest covers, where shooting them on foot is utterly 

 impracticable ; and in such situations the only way of obtaining sport is with a line of 

 Elephants, the guns being either distributed along the line, or sent on ahead, according to 

 the extent and nature of the covert to be beaten. Not only would it be impossible to shoot 

 on foot in many of these heavy grass jungles, but it is hardly possible to move. I know 

 jungles not above a mile square, where I doubt if a man left alone without compass or 

 food, would ever get out ! It would be only by a lucky chance if he did, for no Fair Rosa- 

 mond's bower was ever the centre of such labyrinths as are formed by the paths of the 

 Rhinoceros and Buffalo, and to which no one holds the clue ; and except along these paths, 

 or rather tunnels, progression is impossible. 



Occasionally, however, especially in the mornings and evenings, Buffaloes will venture 

 out of their fastnesses to feed on the short grass on the open plains, or to drink in a river ; 

 and even during the heat of the day, they may sometimes be found wallowing in muddy 

 pools at a considerable distance from cover. Under such circumstances they may be stalked 

 and shot on foot, but as they are dangerous brutes, the sportsman must be well armed, and 

 have all his wits about him. Their visits to cultivation are, as a rule, nocturnal, and the 

 damage that they then do is frequently very great. 



Although I infinitely prefer shooting on foot to any shooting off Elephants, there is 

 still something very exciting in beating with a line of Elephants for Buffaloes. It is the 

 chase on the very largest scale ; and the necessity for being always on the alert, and ready 

 for the momentary chance that may be offered, at the very time when least expected, keeps 

 one's nerves strung to the highest pitch of tension. Frequently, although a herd of Buffaloes 

 may be roused within a score of yards, the waving of the grass, and perhaps the glint of a 

 polished horn tip, is the only ocular evidence of the presence of the animals ; the probably 

 nearly noiseless rush might be caused by other animals ; and where the horns have not been 

 seen, it is only by the strong sweet bovine scent — similar to, but much more powerful than, 

 that of cows — that one can be absolutely certain as to what is in front of one. 



At other times matters are reversed, and instead of a retreating herd, the first intimation 

 one receives of their presence is a vicious charge, completely upsetting the equanimity of 

 even steady Elephants, and creating general confusion along the line. 



A Buffalo is not an easy animal to stop when he has made up his mind for mischief, 

 a front shot especially requiring very powerful rifles. A Buffalo facing one is extremely 

 difficult to kill on foot, as the head is usually carried with the nose level with the back of 

 the head, rendering it almost impossible to lodge a bullet in the brain, while the other vital 

 organs are so well protected by the muscles and bones of the brawny chest, that even with 

 the heaviest rifles a shot must be very well directed to ensure penetration to the lungs or 

 heart. As with all other animals, a shot behind the shoulder is the most likely to drop the 



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