808 
CHARGE OF A BUFFALO 
which wat laid by its own weight, I observed that a soli- 
tary buffalo, disturbed by others of- my own party, was 
coming to mo at a gallop. I glanced around, but tho only 
treo on tho plain was a hundred yards off, and thoro was 
no escape elsowhcro. I therefore cocked my rifle, with 
the intention of giving him a steady shot in tho forohead 
when ho should como within three or four yards of mo. The 
thought flashed across my mind, “ What if your gun misses 
Sro?” I placed it to my shoulder as he came on at full 
speed, and that is tremendous, though generally ho is a 
lumbering-looking animal in his paces. A small bush and 
bunch of grass fifteen yards off made him swerve a littlo, 
and exposed his shoulder. I just heard the ball crack 
there as I fell flat on my face. Tho pain must have made 
him renounce his purpose, for he bounded close past mo on 
to tho water, where he was found dead. In expressing my 
thankfulness to God among my men, thoy were much 
offended with themselves for not being present to shield 
mo from this danger. Tho treo near mo was a camel-thorn, 
and reminded mo that wo had come back to tho land of 
thorns again, for tho country wo had loft is one of ovor- 
greons. 
July 27. — Wo reached tho town of Libonta, and wore 
received with demonstrations of joy such as I had novor 
witnessed before. The womon camo 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 tho hands and 
cheeks of tho different persons of their acquaintance among 
as, raising such a dust that it was quite a relief to get to 
the men assembled and sitting with proper African decorum 
in tho kotla. Wo were looked upon as men risen from the 
dead, for tho most skilful of their diviners had pronounced 
us to have perished long ago. After many expressions of 
joy at meeting, 1 arose, and, thanking them, explained the 
4iuses of our long delay, but left the report to be made by 
their owi countrymen Formerly 1 bad been tho chief 
