176 AT CLOSE QUARTERS, break a herd of about thirty made their appearance, two of which they wounded, but they got away. Having fortified themselves with a hasty breakfast, they next saUied forth to look for blood-tracks, which they soon found, and, after about two hours tracking, obtained a glimpse of a wounded beast ; it was only a glimpse, however, as, before any of them could fire, it was off at a gallop. They lost no time in continuing the chase, and had not gone far before the infuriated buffalo charged Arthur from behind a bush, where it had stopped to hide.

Buffaloes are very cunning animals, and frequently when wounded, or perceiving themselves pursued, will retrace their steps, lie perdu behind some good covert, and charge the sportsman as he goes by.

My brother fired both barrels, but neither shot had the desired effect of grassing the buffalo, though both hit it ; the only result being to turn the attention of the animal to Colvin, whom it charged furiously, scarcely giving him time to raise his rifle to his shoulder, his second barrel being fired when the animal was literally at the muzzle. Colvin was sent flying in one direction, his rifle in the other, while the buffalo fell between. This was a narrow escape, too close to be pleasant ; but fortunately no harm was done ; the buffalo, though not dead, being unable to rise, as the shot had taken effect in its knee.

They then took up the track of the bull buffalo, which, was also wounded, and following it until they found themselves not far from the camp gave it up, as the heat was terrific, and they were rather done up after a sleepless night, and a long walk in the sun, with such an exciting finish. This bull, according to Salee's reading of the marks on the ground, had been attacked by no less than three lions ; they had heard the roar