“On the contrary.” was the reply, “he is as nimble as a goat and can make astonishingly rapid speed over the rough and rocky ground where lie lives. The hunter who thinks he can travel as fast as this apparently clumsy animal makes a great mistake.”
“He's not the only animal that deceives us that way,” said George. “Nobody would think the hog could run and yet what a lively chase it is to catch a wild one. But some hogs are swifter than others, and I have heard of parts of the country where hogs were prized not according to their fatness, but for their ability to out-run professional hogthieves.”
The buffalo of Europe and Asia,” said Mr. Graham, “is supposed to be a native of the damp parts of India, whence he has spread over the countries where he is now found. He is essentially a tropical animal and does not thrive in mild climates, and he is fond of wallowing in the mud and lying down to rest there.”
George asked in what the Asiatic buffalo resembled the common ox. Mr. Graham said it was about the size of the ox and had a bulging-forehead with two black horns curved outward. It has a scanty coat and generally presents a very dingy appearance. “It is of an ugly disposition,” continued the gentleman, “and is much inclined to attack strangers. I had an adventure with one of these creatures in Egypt that came near costing me my life.”