CHARGE OF A BUFFALO. 457 



small canoe, and two men, stooping down as low as they 

 could, paddled it slowly along to an open space near to* 

 a herd of zebras and pokus. Peering over the edge of 

 the canoe, the open space seemed like a patch of wet 

 ground, such as is often seen on the banks of a river,, 

 made smooth as the resting-place of alligators. When, 

 we came within a few yards of it, we found by the pre- 

 cipitate plunging of the reptile, that this was a large 

 alligator itself. Although I had been most careful to> 

 approach near enough, I unfortunately only broke the 

 hind leg of a zebra. My two men pursued it, but the 

 loss of a hind leg does not prevent this animal from a 

 gallop. As I walked slowly after the men on an extensive 

 plain covered with a great crop of grass, which was laid' 

 by its own weight, I observed that a solitary buffalo, 

 disturbed by others of my own party, was coming to me 

 at a gallop. I glanced around, but the only tree on the 

 plain was a hundred yards off, and there was no escape 

 elsewhere. I therefore cocked my rifle, with the intention 

 of giving him a steady shot in the forehead, when he should 

 come within three or four yards of me. The thought 

 flashed across my mind, " What if your gun misses fire ? '* 

 I placed it to my shoulder as he came on at full speedy 

 and that is tremendous, though generally he is a lumber- 

 ing-looking animal in his paces. A small bush, and 

 bunch of grass fifteen yards off, made him swerve a little,, 

 and exposed his shoulder. I just heard the ball crack 

 there, as I fell flat on my face. The pain must have made 

 him renounce his purpose, for he bounded close past me 

 on to the water, where he was found dead. In expressing- 

 my thankfulness to God among my men, they were much 

 offended with themselves for not being present to shield, 

 me from this danger. The tree near me was a camel- 

 thorn, and reminded me that we had come back to the land 

 of thorns again, for the country we had left is one of ever- 

 greens. 



July 27th. — We reached the town of I^ibonta, and were 

 received with demonstrations of joy such as I had never 

 witnessed before. The women came forth to meet us,, 

 making their curious dancing gestures, and loud lulliloos.. 

 Some carried a mat and stick, in imitation of a spear and 

 shield. Others rushed forward and kissed the hands 

 and cheeks of the different persons of their acquaintance 

 among us, raising such a dust that it was quite a relief 



