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.