XIV 
THE BUFFALO 
55 
inadequate to the power required, but from that 
date I invariably used my heavy rifles, which 
arrived on the following morning, and the 3-0z., 
with 12 and sometimes 16 drams of powder, 
proved irresistible. 
The Indian buffalo, although savage, is not so 
dangerous as that of Ceylon. The horns are 
immensely superior to the Ceylon species, but 
they are not so handy; and, as the hunter is 
generally mounted upon an elephant, he is 
tolerably secure, while in Ceylon he would be 
forced to advance to the attack on foot. 
There is extreme danger in this sport unless 
the hunter is a cool and accurate shot, armed with 
a rifle of heavy calibre. The hide of a buffalo 
is intensely tough, and of great thickness; it is 
almost free from hair, and resembles the bare 
appearance of india-rubber. The frontal bone is 
thick, and although easily penetrated by an 
ordinary bullet with a large charge of powder, it 
is difficult to hit, as the animal, when facing an 
antagonist, carries its nose thrown upwards. The 
nose, therefore, should be the point of aim, as a 
bullet well directed will by this route reach the 
brain. It may be readily understood that when 
a vicious animal is your vis-a-vis the duel has 
commenced, and your shot must be delivered as 
a “settler.” If you miss, or if the shot be un¬ 
certain in its effect, the buffalo will in most 
instances charge. 
The charge of a buffalo is a very serious 
