350 THE PINTAIL SNIPE. 
Tickell gives another instance of a similar unprovoked attack. 
He says :— 
“While shooting in those wild morasses, which in India 
are called “jhils’ and in’ \Bastern” Bengal Sbiils a icmise as 
well to be provided with a spare double-barrel loaded with 
ball; for the thick beds of reeds often harbour wild buffaloes, 
dangerous customers to deal with in such localities. I was 
one day (in 1843) exploring a marsh of this description near 
Dhobra, in the Malda District, seated in a “sarunga,” a 
species of dug-out, propelled by punting from the stern. A 
dense tangle of rushes, reeds, and all kinds of water-plants 
extended for about two miles in length anda mile in breadth, 
here and there opening out into pools of deep, clear water, 
covered with the wide leaves of water-lily, and everywhere 
pierced by narrow channels, through which the little canoe 
was propelled, occasionally being shoved through the herbage 
to pick up some bird which had fallen to my gun. I had just 
shot a specimen of Ardetta stnensis—a beautiful bird, very like 
in size and colour our little Bittern of Europe—and we were 
forcing the boat through the reeds to get at it, whena loud 
plunge and rush in the tangle close by put us on the guz vive ; 
and in another moment I perceived through the tall stems of 
the grass, first the huge back, and then, as he turned, the broad 
front and horns, of an Urna or wild buffalo. The brute imme- 
diately advanced on us, but in so doing got off the hammock 
he had been lying on, and plunged up to his jowl in the weeds 
and water. To turn our boat was impossible; so, putting down 
my gun, I ordered the man to pass me over his “luggee” or 
bamboo pole, and with it I began vigorously punting “bock 
agen,” as they say in Cumberland. The canoe retraced its 
course more easily than it had advanced, as the way had been 
partly cleared by our entrance, and as the native, who appeared 
to understand thoroughly the character of our pursuer, hauled 
strenuously at every rush and reed within his grasp; and so, 
what with warping ahead and poling astern, we made good 
progress—the plunging and snorting of our friend in the rear, 
as he struggled after us, allowing of no“ lingerings by the way.” 
The chase was exciting, and its result for a time doubtful. 
When we reached a clearer space the sarunga would slip along, 
leaving Bubalus well astern ; but when we were jammed in the | 
reeds he would come up uncomfortably near; and once, when 
plunging my pole into an unexpectedly deep hole, I nearly 
toppled overboard, I gave myself up for lost. I do not know 
what a buffalo would do with a gentleman in the water: he 
could not well toss him, nor gore him; perhaps he would 
trample him under and drown him? Can anybody enlighten 
us on the point? Thank heaven, it was not my fate to solve 
this problem by an experimentum crucis; for about ten minutes 
struggle brought us into a stretch of clear deep water, and then 
