602 UNGUXATA. 



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 for the 

 spoor, when he heard a crash close to him, and before he could move 

 himself, he was sent flying in the air by the charge of the buffalo. He 

 fell into some branches and was thus safe, for the buffalo was not satis- 

 fied with this performance, but wished to finish the work which he had 

 so ably begun. After examining the safe position of his victim, he re- 

 treated. The Kaffir, who had two or three ribs broken, reached his 

 home with difficulty, and gave up buffalo-shooting from that day. It 

 appeared that this cunning animal had retraced its steps after retreat- 

 ing, and had then backed into a bush, and waited for the Kaffir to pass. 



" A great sportsman at Natal, named Kirkman, told me that he was 

 shooting buffaloes when he was across the Sugela river on one occasion, 

 and having wounded a bull, he was giving him his quietus, when the 

 creature sent forth a sort of moan. Now the buffalo always dies game, 

 and rarely makes any other noise when hard hit. This moan was prob- 

 ably a signal ; and as such it was translated by the herd to which this 

 animal belonged, as they suddenly stopped in their retreat, and came to 

 the rescue. Kirkman dropped his gun and took to some trees, where he 

 was in safety. Fortunate it was for him that timber happened to be 

 near, as the savage herd really meant mischief, and came round his tree 

 in numbers. When they found that he was safe from their rage, they 

 retreated." 



The other African species differ but slightly from the Cape species, 

 the specific distinction being in the shape of the horns. 



THE INDIAN BUFFALO. 



According to Brehm, the Indian Buffalo ought to be regarded as the 

 ancestor of the domesticated species which is found in Italy and Egypt. 

 He considers that we are not yet in a position to define the species very 

 accurately, and regards the "Ami " and the " Bain" as, at most, varieties 

 of the Wild Buffalo which is dispersed through the greater part of India, 

 Ceylon, and South-eastern Asia. 



