412 WILD ANIMALS. 



had been standing, before tlie thick-skulled buffalo, in blind fury, 

 charged the trunk. The shock only stunned the brute. This 

 gave the Mandingo an opportunity to discharge a second arrow 

 into its side, near the heart. He immediately followed up the 

 attack with a fresh tune. 



" The buffalo looked distressfully in all directions, as if seeking 

 for rest, and appeared wondrously puzzled whether to attribute 

 his headache and the smarting of his wounds, from which the 

 blood streamed, either to the tree or to the magic flute. Not 

 observing the sorcerer who had caused the mischief, it backed a 

 few paces, and then, with redoubled force and fury, again charged 

 the tree. 



" The Mandingo, who at first appeared the greatest coward of 

 the party, now proved himself to be a thoroughly bold and 

 courageous hunter — a ' master of arts ' in killing buffaloes. 



" This second charge against the tree still more stupified the 

 animal. Before it had recovered its senses, a well-aimed arrow 

 from the steady hand of the hunter, lodged deeply in the neck 

 and severed the jugular vein, from which the blood spirted like a 

 fountain. The beast's end was fast approaching. It swayed 

 violently from side to side, thereby increasing the irritation of the 

 wounds. After several furious shakes of the head, it gyrated 

 round and round on the same spot, first quickly, then slower. 

 The hunter now rushed at the animal, and passed his sharp cutlass 

 through its heart. A short stream of blood issued from the 

 mouth of the buffalo, which moved a few paces, when a heavy 

 stream of blood followed, and a moment later the beast lay 

 prostrate on the ground. 



" With a look of just pride, the Mandingo, showing his flute, 

 exclaimed, ' Now see what my flute can do ! ' In reality the skill 

 and courage he had displayed was worthy of the most celebrated 

 matadore of Spain." 



Cape buffaloes have rarely been domesticated. Attempts to 

 do so have occasionally been made, but seldom, if ever, by any of 

 the native tribes. Their intractible disposition prevents the 

 animals being reliable for employment, and they are said to be 

 less hardy than the common ox, which, no doubt, arises from the 



