208 HUNTING THE BUFFALO. Chap. X. 



expect water by the animals he sees. The presence of the 

 gemsbuck, duiker or diver, springbucks, or elephants, is no 

 proof that water is near ; for these animals roam over vast tracts 

 of country, and may be met scores of miles from it. Not so, 

 however, the zebra, pallah, buffalo, and rhinoceros ; their spoor 

 gives assurance that water is not far off, as they never stray 

 any distance from its neighbourhood. But when amidst 

 the solemn stillness of the woods, the singing of joyous 

 birds falls upon the ear, it is certain that water is close at 

 hand. While waiting here, under a great tamarind-tree, we 

 heard many new and pleasant songs from strange little birds, 

 with the love-notes of pigeons, in the trees overhanging these 

 living springs. 



Our men in hunting came on an immense herd of buffa- 

 loes, quietly resting in the long dry grass, and began to 

 blaze away furiously at the astonished animals. In the 

 wild excitement of the hunt, which heretofore had been 

 conducted with spears, some forgot to load with ball, and, 

 firing away vigorously with powder only, wondered for the 

 moment that the buffaloes did not fall. The slayer of the 

 young elephant, having buried his four bullets in as many 

 buffaloes, fired three charges of number 1 shot he had for 

 killing guinea-fowl. The quaint remarks and merriment 

 after these little adventures seemed to the listener like 

 the pleasant prattle of children. Mbia and Mantlanyane, 

 however, killed one buffalo each ; both the beasts were in prime 

 condition; the meat was like really excellent beef, with a 

 smack of venison. A troop of hungry, howling hyenas also 

 thought the savour tempting, as they hung round the camp 

 at night, anxious to partake of the feast. They are, fortu- 

 nately, arrant cowards, and never attack either men or beasts, 

 except they can catch them asleep, sick, or at some other 



