268 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
coloured object in the distance, which I imagined 
to be a bear, or some large rock which had deceived 
me by its resemblance. The glasses decided that 
this was a buffalo. It was more than a mile 
distant, but for simple amusement, as it lay in the 
direction we were taking, I determined to see if we 
could approach near enough for a certain shot. 
The wind was fair, therefore we took no precautions, 
but simply rode forward until within a distance of 
1200 yards. I now made out that the buffalo was 
advancing in our direction ; there was a dry bed of 
a stream before us, and I suggested that we should 
dismount, and conceal the horses and ourselves 
within this natural channel, to wait for the arrival 
of the buffalo. This was quickly arranged, and we 
descended into the rivers bed. 
By peering over the bank, I made out the exact 
direction that the buffalo was taking, and by chang¬ 
ing my position accordingly, I had the satisfaction 
of seeing a fine bull approaching me, without the 
slightest suspicion of impending danger. Presently 
it descended into the channel within 40 paces of 
the rifle, which as usual I had pointed at the 
shoulder, without the slightest intention of pulling 
the trigger. The animal obtained my wind, or saw 
me, and with a snort it threw up its tail, and 
galloped off across the plain, leaving me quite 
satisfied at having bagged it mentally, without the 
expenditure of a cartridge, or the useless sacrifice 
of a life. 
We remounted, and rode forward, scanning as 
