WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
166 
I now halted to fire, while the cart turned slightly 
to the right but did not stop. This should always 
be observed, as, should the bullocks halt for one 
instant, the buck would be off directly; the cart 
should pass slowly forward, leaving the shooter 
standing or kneeling behind, as he may prefer. 
I had a *360 rabbit rifle, and as the buck faced 
me I fired a little too low, and broke its fore leg 
just below the chest. For a moment it fell, and I 
thought it was secure, but almost immediately it 
recovered, and running down a gentle incline, it 
crossed a small stream at the bottom, ascended the 
rough slope of rank grass upon the other side, and 
remained standing upon the side of this rising ground 
at about 200 yards’ distance. I had reloaded, and 
not being aware of the nature of the wound beyond 
the broken leg or shoulder, I waited in the expect¬ 
ation that it would presently lie down. To my 
surprise, two dogs suddenly rushed past me ; they 
had heard the shot, and had seen that the buck was 
wounded, but I have no idea where they were at 
the time, unless with the cattle in the distance. 
They crossed the stream at full speed, rushed up the 
slope through grass about 2 feet high, upon the 
blood-track, and the buck, which was still in the 
same position, did not observe them until they 
appeared in full attack within 30 paces. Away it 
flew upon the instant! The chase commenced, and 
although the poor buck had only three useful legs, it 
kept well ahead and appeared to gain upon the dogs 
for the first 150 yards, but unfortunately for itself 
