brought down a beast, but then you can exercise your skill."

Saying this, he and Umgolo set off, followed by the rest of the party,
who imitated their example, stepping cautiously, and stooping down when
they had to cross an open space where they were exposed to view. They
could catch glimpses of the buffaloes moving slowly along, cropping the
grass as they went, an old bull acting as their leader and guardian. At
length a spot which afforded shelter and concealment was reached inside
the wood. Hendricks and Umgolo searched round carefully, lest it should
prove that a lion or some other savage animal had made its lair
thereabouts, and might spring out upon them.

Satisfied on that point, directed by Hendricks, they took up their
positions, and then commenced creeping forward as noiselessly as mice.
Presently Hendricks pointed in front, and made a signal to prepare for
instant action. By moving aside some of the boughs with the greatest
caution, the whole herd was seen, magnificent-looking fellows, some
standing, others lying down, and several snoring away, enjoying their
noonday siesta. The old bull, the leader of the herd, stood, however,
looking out, as if suspecting danger, yet perhaps not sufficiently
satisfied that it was near to warn his companions. Hendricks had got
within ten or a dozen yards of him; Umgolo had crept up to about the
same distance from another fine-looking brute. The younger hunters had
each selected an animal, but, obeying orders, refrained from firing.
Presently Hendricks, who was kneeling, raised his rifle, and a loud
report was heard. Almost at the same instant Umgolo fired, when the
rest of the party, deeming themselves at liberty to act as they thought
fit, discharged their rifles. As soon as the smoke had cleared away,
three fine animals were seen on the ground, while the rest of the herd
were scampering off in full flight across the plain. One fell before
they had got far, showing that two of the younger hunters had fired with
effect; but which had been the successful shot, neither of them could be
very certain, though each claimed the honour.

Umgolo, followed by the other Kaffirs, sprang forward, eager to cut up
the carcases. Hendricks had ordered two of the men left in camp to
bring up the horses by a direct path to carry back the meat. They soon
arrived, and the animals being loaded with the more valuable portions of
the slain buffaloes, the whole party set off to retur