184 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
asked Lowe to finish this beast with the Winchester. 
The effect of two well-placed bullets from that less power¬ 
ful rifle was merely to set the fallen buffalo on his legs 
again. In two steps he vanished from our view —both 
my buffaloes had vanished. 
The situation had become involved. I had hit fair 
and square two buffalo bulls ; but neither was in hand, 
nor was anything in sight save viewless bush. But from 
beyond the narrow limits of vision came a tell-tale index; 
a chorus of subdued bellowing told that the great bovines 
were still close on our front, and with them, presumably, 
the two stricken beasts. Therefore, with a caution that 
not even Agag knew (since a wounded buffalo presents the 
most perilous proposition of all), we advanced to investi¬ 
gate. Within brief moments was disclosed to view an 
extraordinary spectacle. In an open, amidst deep grass, 
we descried the indication of a prostrate form; but 
alongside it stood others, pushing and poking their 
fallen friend with their muzzles—even “horning” him— 
to an accompaniment of confidential grunts, snorts, and 
bellows. The object was clear-—to arouse their pal to 
a sense of danger, “wake up, Bill!”—surely a striking 
scene in wild-life and of animal - sympathy ? The 
spectacle certainly fascinated us ; but, while yet watching, 
a sudden development distracted all merely platonic 
interest. From broad on our right came a crash in 
the brushwood and there loomed up the apparition of 
another great buffalo bull, making straight towards where 
we stood. Precisely what were that buffalo s intentions 
or what his frame of mind I know not, nor stopped to 
inquire—one hasty glimpse revealed a broad muzzle 
carried horizontal and a mass of grass and bush stuck 
across the horns. Without spoken word, by mutual 
instinct we fled. During the advance, and in due antici¬ 
pation of such contingencies, I had taken the precaution 
of noting a tree which seemed to lend itself for purposes of 
refuge. It sprang from the summit of an ant-hill and 
