[to be continued.]
[A BUFFALO HUNT IN SOUTH AFRICA.]
I had been hunting from break of day, and although I had seen a number of antelopes and other animals interesting to a sportsman, they were so wild that it was impossible to come within fair shooting range. Moreover, I had the misfortune to be mounted on a very slow horse, which had only sufficient speed to be useful in the chase of elephants. It was, nevertheless, very steady, and stanch as a rock, making it invaluable in pursuit of the latter game.
After I had been quiet for a few hours during the heat of the day, a Bushman came to me with the information that there was a large herd of buffalo close at hand.
As meat was much wanted, I hastened the saddling, and hurriedly departed for the scene of action, with the Bushman as guide, leaving word for the rest of my followers to come after me as soon as possible.
The country was beautiful in this locality. There was a large flat expanse covered with grass, in parts extremely rank, and dotted over here and there with scattered trees, while at intervals of half a mile or more kopjies—an immense jumble of rocks—would crop up to the height of several hundred feet. These masses of rock deserve a word of notice, for they are a peculiar feature of tropical South Africa. Invariably they are composed of a brilliant red sandstone, or of a rusty brown metallic-looking formation, and from their detached and broken positions induce the beholder to think that some powerful volcanic force had shoved them up to their present elevated position.
Strange as it may appear, they are ever covered with a considerable amount of vegetation, particularly wild fig, some varieties of palms, and numerous descriptions of creepers, although it is utterly impossible that there can be any soil or moisture about their roots.
To see the setting or rising sun glinting off these masses of rock is a sight never to be forgotten, for every corner or cranny seems to be possessed of jewels of most wonderful brilliancy that reflect every shade of light possessed by the rainbow.
The buffaloes were soon found, and with a due amount of caution I succeeded in approaching within thirty paces of a very fine young but full-grown bull. The better to make sure of my aim, I dismounted, and gave the game both barrels from my eight-bore. The thud, thud, in response told me that they had hit, while a stagger forward and attempt to lie down said that they had been well placed.
My horse, which was behind an ant-hill, on which grew numerous bushes, I now left, and walked up to the buffalo, which I did not for a moment doubt would never regain its legs. But in this I was mistaken, for no sooner did the wounded beast see me than it recovered its legs, and without hesitation dashed at me. Both barrels I again delivered, at less than fifteen paces.
Still the foe came on; so at last I was compelled to resort to the undignified course of turning on my heels and beating a most rapid retreat. I felt convinced that my pursuer had his speed impeded by the wounds he had received, for I gained the ant-hill and clambered up it, but not before his horns were in unpleasant nearness to my person. But here I was safe, for although the buffalo again and again attempted to climb its steep sides, he utterly failed. At length the horse caught his eye, and on him he now sought to vent his wrath, but the old steed simply cantered or trotted, as occasion demanded, round my asylum.
I think it could scarcely have been possible to have witnessed a more ridiculous scene, for my mount would not be driven off, nor would the bull give up the chase. I had now time to load, and, waiting for a clear broadside shot, I tumbled Mr. Buff over in his tracks. Immediately the shot was fired, the old horse actually turned round to see the result, then walked up to the fallen foe, and examined him, as if with the eye of an experienced judge in shooting matters.
I have killed a great many buffalo with one bullet; seldom have I required more than two. But, from some unexplainable cause, you will occasionally come across an animal that it appears impossible to deprive of life, although your shooting looks, when inspecting the body, to have been perfectly correct.