A good shot is seldom made from the back of a horse. Knowing this, the
hunters dismounted; and, taking steady aim, fired, each having selected
a victim. The three shots were discharged within the same number of
seconds; and, on firing, each of the hunters hastened to regain his
saddle. On receiving the volley, several bulls broke from the line and
charged furiously forward upon their assailants.

At sight of them, the horses, anxious to get out of the way, began to
pitch and rear, so that it was difficult to mount them. Hendrik and
Arend succeeded in regaining their saddles; but Willem failed.

The horse which had often carried him within a few yards of an enraged
elephant, was new struck frantic with fear at the bellowing of the
wounded bulls. As they made their impetuous charge, he endeavoured to
get loose from his master. The more the hand of Willem strove to
restrain him, the more anxious he seemed to be off; and notwithstanding
the hunter's great strength, he was dragged on the bridle until one of
the reins broke; and the other was pulled through his grasp with a
velocity that cut his fingers nearly to the bone. By this time one of
the bulls was close up to him. Notwithstanding his great size, Groot
Willem was neither unwieldy nor awkward in action. On the contrary, he
was swift of foot; but, for all this, there was no hope of his being
able to outrun an African buffalo.

So sudden had been the charge of the angry animals, that one of the oxen
ridden by the Makololo, had not time to be got out of the way, and was
abandoned by his owner. As good luck would have it for Willem, the
unfortunate ox was the means of saving his life. Charging upon it, the
buffalo thrust one of its long horns through the ribs of the ox, lifting
the saddle clear from its back, and laying the animal itself along the
earth, dead as if struck down by a pole-axe.

The buffalo was itself now attacked by three or four dogs, that served
for some time to engage its attention.

For a good while its canine assailants continued to keep clear of both
its hoofs and horns; till one of them, essaying to seize it by the
snout, was struck down and trampled under foot. The vindictive nature
of the African buffalo was now displayed before the eyes of the
spectators. Not contented with having killed the dog, it knelt down
upon the carcass, crushing it under its knees, as if determined to leave
not a bone unbroken! The animal seemed angry wi