516 THE CAPE BUFFALO. 



for some such terrible incident. Sometimes the animal is so recklessly furious in its unreason- 

 ing anger, that it absolutely blinds itself by its heedless rash through the formidable thorn- 

 bushes which are so common in Southern Africa. Even when in company with others of their 

 own species, they are liable to sudden bursts of emotion, and will rush blindly forward heed- 

 less of everything but the impulse that drives them forward. In one instance, the leader of 

 the herd, being wounded, dropped on his knees, and was instantly crushed by the trampling 

 hoofs of his comrades, as they rushed over- the prostrate body of their chief. 



In South Africa, the Cape Buffalo, called by the Kaffirs "Inyati," or "Inthumba," plays 

 much the same part as the arnee in India. Like that animal, it does much as it pleases, and 

 fears no enemy but armed men. Even the lion dare not approach too closely to a herd of Cape 

 Buffaloes, for with the cunning old bulls in front, and the cows and calves bringing up the 

 rear, the lion would have but a poor chance against a general charge of such foes. Indeed, 

 even in single combat, the lion would scarcely come off the conqueror. 



The Cape Buffalo, although so terrible an animal, is not so large as the arnee, being little 

 larger than an ordinary ox, but possessed of much greater strength. The strangely shaped 

 horns are black in color, and so large that the distance between their points is not unf requently 

 from four to five feet. On account of their great width at their bases, they form a kind of 

 bony helmet, which is impenetrable to an ordinary musket-ball, and effectually defend their 

 owner against the severe shocks which are frequently suffered by these testy animals. 



I conclude this history of the Cape Buffalo with some personal reminiscences of the 

 a nim al, which have been kindly placed at my disposal by Captain Drayson :— 



"The hide of this animal is a bluish -black in color, and is so very tough that bullets will 

 scarcely penetrate it if they are fired from a distance, or are not hardened by an addition of 

 tin in the proportion of one to eight. It is of a fierce, vindictive disposition, and from its 

 cunning habits is esteemed one of the most dangerous animals in Southern Africa. The Cape 

 Buffalo is naturally a gregarious animal, but at certain seasons of the year the males fight for 

 the mastery ; a clique of young bulls frequently turn out an old gentleman, who then seeks 

 the most gloomy and retired localities in which to brood over his disappointments. 



"These solitary skulkers are the most dangerous of their species ; and although it is the 

 nature of all animals to fly from man, unless they are badly wounded, or are intruded upon at 

 unseasonable hours, these old hermits will scarcely wait for such excuses, but will willingly 

 meet the hunter half-way and try conclusions with him. 



"Although frequently found in large herds on the plains, the Buffalo is principally a 

 resident in the bush ; here he follows the paths of the elephant or rhinoceros, or makes a road 

 for himself. During the evening, night, and early morning, he roams about the open country 

 and gorges, but when the sun has risen high, or if he has cause for alarm, the glens and coverts 

 are sought ; and amidst their shady branches he enjoys repose and obtains concealment. The 

 ' spoor ' of the Buffalo is like that of the common ox, the toes of the old bulls being very wide 

 apart, whilst those of the young ones are close together ; the cow Buffalo's footprints are 

 longer and thinner than the bull' s, and smaller. 



" As these animals wander in the open ground during the night, and retreat to their glens 

 during the day, their spoor may be taken up from the outside of the bush, and followed until 

 the scent leads to the view. AVTien the hunter comes near to his game, of which he should be 

 able to judge by the freshness of the footprints, he should wait and listen for some noise by 

 which to discover their position. Buffaloes frequently twist and turn about in the bush, and 

 do so more especially just before they rest for the day. 



" I knew a Kaffir who carried about him the marks of a Buffalo's power and cunning. He 

 was hunting Buffaloes one day in the bush, and came upon a solitary bull, which he wounded ; 

 the bull bounded off, but the Kaffir, thinking him badly hurt, followed after at a run, without 

 taking sufficient precautions in his advance. Now, dangerous as is a Buffalo when untouched, 

 he is still more to be dreaded when hard hit, and should therefore be followed with the utmost 

 caution. 



" The Kaffir had hurried on through the bush for a hundred yards or so, and was looking 



