CHAP. XII. BUFFALOES AND BUFFALO-BIRDS. 331 



pation, and also to secure for the ships a supply of 

 buffalo meat — as those animals were reported to he in 

 abundance on that stream. But though it was evident 

 from the tracks that the report was true, it was im- 

 possible to get a glimpse of them. The grass being taller 

 than we were, and pretty thickly planted, they always 

 knew of our approach before we saw them. And the first 

 intimation we had of their being near was the sound they 

 made in rushing over the stones, breaking the branches, 

 and knocking their horns against each other. Once, 

 when seeking a ford for the cart, at sunrise, we saw a 

 herd slowly wending up the hill-side from the water. 

 Sending for a rifle, and stalking with intense eagerness 

 for a fat beefsteak, instead of our usual fare of salted 

 provisions, we got so near that we could hear the bulls 

 uttering their hoarse deep low, but could see nothing 

 except the mass of yellow grass in front ; suddenly the 

 buffalo-birds sounded their alarm-whistle, and away 

 dashed the troop, and we got sight of neither birds nor 

 beasts. This would be no country for a sportsman except 

 when the grass is short. The animals are wary, from the 

 dread they have of the poisoned arrows. Those of the 

 natives who do hunt are deeply imbued with the hunting- 

 spirit, and follow the game with a stealthy perseverance 

 and cunning, quite extraordinary. The arrow making 

 no noise, the herd is followed up until the poison takes 

 effect, and the wounded animal falls out. It is then 

 patiently watched till it drops — a portion of meat round 

 the wound is cut away, and all the rest eaten. 



Poisoned arrows are made in two pieces. An iron 

 barb is firmly fastened to one end of a small wand of 

 wood, ten inches or a foot long, the other end of which, 

 fined down to a long point, is nicely fitted, though not 

 otherwise secured, in the hollow of the reed, which forms 

 the arrow shaft. The wood immediately below the iron 



