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.
[PEOPLE WE HEAR ABOUT.]
WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE.
The greatest English statesman of the time is by descent a Scotchman, his father having removed from Scotland to Liverpool, in England, where he became a wealthy merchant, and where in 1809 his second son, William, was born.