130 



ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



On the 24th we marched at dawn of day, and heU 

 up the Ngotwani, halting at the fine large pool of water 

 where I had shot the three cow buffaloes two nights 

 previously. I had left Ruyter and some natives to look 

 after my flesh, and these reported lions to have sur- 

 rounded them all night, coming boldly up within a few 

 yards of them, and only retreating when burning brands 

 were sent flying at their heads. 



The 26th was a cool, cloudy morning, and looked like 

 much rain. I was in the saddle long before the sun 

 rose, and rode down the river to seek water-buck, ac- 

 companied by all my dogs. I had not ridden far when 

 the dogs dashed up the wind, and started a large herd 

 of cow buffaloes, to which I gave chase. They led me 

 a long gallop right round camp, and ended by taking 

 down wind up the Ngotwani, and sought sheltei- in the 

 thorny thickets along its banks. Here, as a tipop of 

 them charged past me, I dismounted and shot one fine 

 old cow; she brought up in a thicket, but took two 

 more balls before she fell. 



The dogs were now coursing up and down the river's 

 bank after an old cow, with her two calves of this and 

 last year. At length all three took into a deep pool 

 some hundred yards long, and swam up and down and 

 from side to side, followed by all the dogs. I wounded 

 the old cow, but would not finish her then, and I next 

 shot the two calves, one of which sank to the bottom, 

 but soon after floated. I then came home to my camp 

 for the natives to draw the flesh. Returning, we found 

 the old cow still there, but standing in deep muddy 

 water. She carried a very fine head, but, unfortunate- 

 ly, a bullet had splintered the point of one of the horns. 

 While we were cutting up the veal, the old cow "am? 

 to the side and got away. I came shortly afterward, 



