"We had no difficulty in finding the herd," said he, "as it was scattered over quite a bit of land, where the buffaloes were grazing. We rode directly at them, the wind being favorable to us; and when within perhaps fifty yards the ladies drew up and fired, each one selecting a medium-sized cow as her target.
"The moment the first shot was fired some of the old bulls in the herd gave a peculiar cry or bellow, which brought all the animals together, with the exception of the two cows, that had been severely wounded and were unable to move quickly. The whole herd acted like a regiment of well-trained soldiers, all running toward the center, where these old bulls were. We thought they would try to run away, but they did not do anything of the kind: they pawed the earth and bellowed repeatedly, and then, as if by word of command, they all started straight toward us. We turned and ran, well knowing that if they once overtook us our deaths would be certain. That was the time you saw us, and you certainly saved the life of Miss Boland, if not the lives of all three. If you had been two minutes later she would surely have been trampled to death; and if our horses had fallen as hers did our fate would have been the same."
With the exception of my conversation with the after-rider, our journey homeward was a silent one. Miss Boland was unable to talk, much to Harry's disappointment, while Mrs. Roberts could do little better than answer in monosyllables to Jack's remarks.
When the party reached the kraal we assisted the ladies to dismount, and I, as the self-appointed master of ceremonies, told them to go to their tents at once, and we should see them the next day.
Miss Boland nodded assent, as she could not speak and was barely able to stand. Mrs. Roberts shook each of us fervently by the hand, and said:
"We owe our lives to you, gentlemen. Had it not been for you our fate would have been sealed. I can't say more now; good-by."
With that she took Miss Boland by the arm, and the two disappeared. We remained a few minutes outside the kraal, talking with the manager, and then mounted and rode away to our own camp.
By the time we reached it it was past noon, and we were hungry. The cook had not expected us, and consequently had made no preparations for luncheon; but that did not trouble us much, as a few slices of meat—good-sized slices—with some bread left over from breakfast, were sufficient for us. We discussed the events of the morning, and agreed that it was no exaggeration for Mrs. Roberts to say we had saved the lives of herself and Miss Boland.
"That's the first time I ever saw a herd of buffaloes charge in a body," said Jack; "I've been told that they do so, but have never seen it."
"I've seen it twice," I replied, "and I was one of the parties they charged against in both instances. My first experience was when chasing a troop of elands; a small herd of buffaloes, with a rhinoceros or two, came after me, and I only escaped by the fleetness of my horse and by doubling upon them in a little patch of forest. They lost sight of me and gave up the chase. Evidently they don't follow the trail by scent, but rely entirely upon the use of their eyes."