THE BUFFALO 93 



away by the wind long before the herd is neared. 

 They practically always stampede down wind, 

 and therefore, when once they have been lost sight 

 of, the only method to follow is to make a wide 

 circle and follow back up wind in the hope of 

 finding them. Much depends, however, on the 

 conformation of the district, and upon how far 

 one is able to see across it. 



I consider it probable that no animal in all 

 the long list of African great game is endowed 

 with more terrible ferocity than the buffalo, when 

 once his resentment has been aroused. It is a 

 well-known fact that when wounded these animals 

 wiU frequently retreat into high grass or other 

 similar cover, and, turning aside off their tracks, 

 win await the appearance of the hunter, whom they 

 wiU then take at a disadvantage as he approaches, 

 his eyes fixed upon the ground. Having tossed or 

 knocked down their adversary, they will t\irn upon 

 the prostrate form, and, with diabolical transports 

 of vmcontroUable rage, stamp and gore and tear 

 it until the poor unrecognisable remains are almost 

 rent limb from limb. 



A wounded buffalo, it may be taken as certain, 

 win charge in more than seventy per cent, of 

 cases. In thick cover — forest or high grass — it 

 wiU practically always charge if wounded at close 

 quarters, and on level plain, unencumbered by 

 grass or forest, they will charge at various dis- 

 tances, sometimes with provocation and some- 

 times without. Nearness may always be re- 

 garded as an incentive for them to turn upon their 

 pursuer, who must regiilate his conduct by the 



