XIV 
THE BUFFALO 
65 
upon the ground, the bloody foam from the mouth 
proving the death - wound through the lungs. 
Reloading, I assumed the offensive, and^S knocked 
over another, leaving only two from the original 
number. One of these now took to water, but 
received a bullet in the neck ; the other made a 
rush as though wishing to charge past me to reach 
the plain; this one got the 2-oz. through the 
shoulder-blade at close quarters, and fell struggling 
in a confused heap; both shoulder-bones being- 
smashed. 
This was sharp work for two single-barrelled 
muzzle-loaders, but nothing could resist them. 
The effective power of such weapons induced me to 
order four double-barrelled No. 10 two-grooved 
muzzle-loaders, which proved to be exactly the 
weapons required for Ceylon shooting at that period, 
as they had nearly the same power as the 2-oz. 
rifle, with the additional advantage of the double- 
barrels. 
As a rule, no person should attempt to shoot 
dangerous game with a single barrel, if on foot. 
Although the modern breechloader has simplified 
the system of loading, there are many cases when an 
accident might occur which would be obviated by 
the possession of a second barrel. I once had 
an unmistakable reminder, which I never forgot. 
The heavy 3-oz. rifle had been so great an ally, 
that I regarded it as invincible. Instead of re¬ 
maining satisfied, I attempted a fresh improvement, 
and I had a 4-oz. mould that produced a sharp- 
VOL. 11 
F 
