8o 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
the top of the knoll, I raised myself; at the same 
moment there was a rushing sound of heavy feet, 
and the next instant I saw the four buffaloes going 
at full speed down the slope towards the small stream 
that we had just quitted. The nearest was about 60 
yards from me, and with the *577 rifle I aimed at 
the root of the tail. As the bullet struck within a 
couple of inches of the mark, this magnificent bull 
plunged heavily upon the ground. The three 
remaining buffaloes, all bulls, dashed through the 
shallow stream, and struggled up the opposing bank ; 
this was so steep that they scrambled with the 
greatest difficulty, and no tame animal of that weight 
could have accomplished the ascent. I had imme¬ 
diately reloaded, and I took a lovely aim between 
the shoulders of each bull, as it exposed itself to a 
deadly shot, almost perpendicular, within 70 or 80 
yards’ distance ; but I would not fire ; I had them 
completely in my power, and that was sufficient. 
Buffaloes were being destroyed wholesale, and I 
would not join in the brutal list of destroyers. 
In the meantime this grand bull was sitting 
paralysed, with the two hind legs stretched wide 
apart. It had attempted to move down hill after 
the first shock of the bullet, and had managed to 
slide itself for only a few feet forward by the action 
of the fore legs. It was now upon its knees, 
struggling to rise, but completely helpless in the hind¬ 
quarters. I called the attention of Jem Bourne to 
the effect of the *577 solid bullet, and I told him 
to watch the result of a merciful quietus, exactly 
