ng in circles around it.

Contrary to my intention, the rope had slipped from my hands at the
first drag upon it. My position was rather an unsteady one, for the
branches were slender, and I could not manage matters as well as I could
have wished.

But I now felt confident enough. The bull was tethered, and it only
remained for me to get out beyond the length of his tether, and take to
my heels.

My gun lay on one side, near the tree, where I had dropped it in my
race: this, of course, I meant to carry off with me.

I waited then until the animal, in one of his circles, had got round to
the opposite side, and slipping silently down the trunk, I sprang out,
picked up my rifle, and ran.

I knew the trail-rope to be about twenty yards in length, but I ran a
hundred, at least, before making halt. I had even thoughts of
continuing on, as I still could not help some misgivings about the rope.

The bull was one of the largest and strongest. The rope might break,
the knot upon the tree might give way, or the noose might slip over his
head.

Curiosity, however, or rather a desire to be assured of my safety,
prompted me to look around, when, to my joy, I beheld the huge monster
stretched upon the plain. I could see the rope as taut as a bow-string;
and the tongue protruding from the animal's jaws showed me that he was
strangling himself as fast as I could desire.

At the sight, the idea of buffalo-tongue for supper returned in all its
vigour; and it now occurred to me that I should eat that very tongue,
and no other.

I immediately turned in my tracks, ran towards my powder and balls--
which, in my eagerness to escape, I had forgotten all about--seized the
horn and pouch, poured in a charge, rammed down a bullet, and then
stealing nimbly up behind the still struggling bull, I placed the muzzle
within three feet of his brisket, and fired. He gave a death-kick or
two, and then lay quiet: it was all over with him.

I had the tongue from between his teeth in a twinkling; and proceeding
to the other bull, I finished the operations I had commenced upon him.
I was too tired to think of carrying a very heavy load; so I contented
myself with the tongues, and slinging these over the barrel of my rifle,
I shouldered it, and set out to grope my way back to camp.

The moon had risen, and I had no difficulty in following my own trail;
but before I had got half-way, I met several of my companions shouting,
and at intervals f