GLORIOUS OUFFALO SHOOTIKQ. 117 



of shady thorn-trees. After I had lain some time, 

 squadrons of buffaloes were heard coming on, until the 

 shady grove on the east bank of the water immediately 

 above me was alive with them. After some time the 

 leaders ventured down the river's bank to drink, and this 

 was the signal for a general rush into the large pool of 

 water: they came on like a regiment of cavalry at a 

 gallop, making a mighty din, and obscuring the air with 

 a dense cloud of dust. At length I sent a ball into 

 one of them, when the most tremendous rush followed 

 up the bank, where they all stood still, listening atten- 

 tively. I knew that the buffalo was severely wounded, 

 but did not hear him fall. Some time after I fired at a 

 second, as they stood on the bank above me ; this buffa- 

 lo was also hard hit, but did not then fall. A little after 

 I fired at a third on the same spot ; he ran forty yards, 

 and, falling, groaned fearfully: this at once brought on 

 a number of the others to butt their dying comrade, 

 according to their benevolent custom. I then crept in 

 toward them, and, firing my fourth shot, a second buf- 

 falo ran forward a few yards, and, falling, groaned as the 

 last ; her comrades, coming up, served her in the same 

 manner. A second time I crept in, and, firing a fifth 

 shot, a third buffalo ran forward, and fell close to her 

 dying comrades : in a few minutes all the other buffa- 

 loes made off, and the sound of teeth tearing at the 

 flesh was heard immediately. 



I fancied it was the liysenas, and fired a shot to scare 

 them from the flesh. All was still ; and, being anxious 

 to inspect the heads of the buffaloes, I went boldly 

 forward, taking the native who accompanied me along 

 with me. We were within about five yards of the 

 nearest buffalo, when I observed a yellow mass lying 

 alongside of him, and at the same instant a lion gave 



