XIV 
THE BUFFALO 
73 
signet ring was found by the missionaries some 
yards from his remains, and the body of the buffalo 
was lying by his side, proving that the beast 
continued the savage assault until the wound proved 
mortal; vicious to the last gasp. ’ 
The celebrated sword-hunters of the Hamran 
Arabs excel in riding down the Bos Caffer and 
hamstringing it with a blow of the sharp sword 
while at full speed. I was with these people on one 
occasion, where the rocky hills were so much against 
the horses that they dared not venture sufficiently 
close to a large bull, which turned to bay upon a 
small plateau covered with boulders. The bull 
stood to bay for some minutes, but at length, as we 
tried the ruse of a feigned retreat, it turned and 
galloped down the hill. In an instant four horses 
clattered after it in renewed pursuit, and after a run 
of about five minutes over the most unfavourable 
ground, which precluded all attempts at closing with 
the game, the bull reached a narrow but impervious 
jungle. My artful allies now rode to the opposite 
side to windward, and having thereby given their 
wind to the hunted animal, they shouted, and threw 
stones into the jungle, in order, if possible, to drive 
the buffalo within sight of myself on the other side. 
I presently heard something moving among the 
tangled branches, and being on a steady horse I 
rode to the extreme edge. I now saw the buffalo 
standing in the deep shade, broadside on, exposing 
the shoulder to a deadly shot. Taking the steadiest 
aim, exactly behind the shoulder-joint, with my 
