present."

The whole herd had now broken from the reeds about fifty paces from
where they were stationed, and with their tails raised, tossing with
their horns, and bellowing with rage and fear, darted out of the reeds,
dripping with slime and mud, and rushed off towards the forest. In a
few seconds they were out of sight.

"A good riddance," said Swinton; "I hope the Major is now satisfied with
buffalo-hunting."

"I am, at all events," replied Alexander. "I feel very sore and stiff.
What a narrow escape that Bushman had."

"Yes, he had indeed; but, Alexander, your horse is not well: he can
hardly breathe. You had better dismount."

Alexander did so, and unloosed his girths. Bremen got off his horse,
and, offering it to Alexander, took the bridle of the other and examined
him.

"He has his ribs broken, sir," said the Hottentot,--"two of them, if not
more."

"No wonder, poor fellow; lead him gently, Bremen. Oh, here comes the
Major. Now we shall know what has occurred; and there is Swanevelt and
the two men."

"Well, Major, pray tell us your adventures, for you have frightened us
dreadfully."

"Not half so much as I have been frightened myself," replied the Major;
"we have all had a narrow escape, I can assure you, and Swanevelt's
horse is dead."

"Is Swanevelt hurt?"

"No, he was most miraculously preserved; the horn of the buffalo has
grazed the whole length of the body, and yet not injured him. But let
us go to the caravan and have something to drink, and then I will tell
you all about it--I am quite done up, and my tongue cleaves to the roof
of my mouth."

As soon as they had arrived at the caravan and dismounted, the Major
drank some water, and then gave his narrative. "We had several shots on
our side of the river, for the buffaloes had evidently an intention of
crossing over, had we not turned them. We had killed two, when a bull
buffalo charged from the reeds upon Swanevelt, and before he could turn
his horse and put him to his speed, the horns of the buffalo had ripped
up the poor animal, and he fell with Swanevelt under him. The enraged
brute disengaged himself from the horse, and made a second charge upon
Swanevelt; but he twisted on one side, and the horn only grazed him, as
I have mentioned. I then fired and wounded the animal. He charged
immediately, and I turned my horse, but from fright he wheeled so
suddenly that I lost my stirrups, and my saddle turned round.

"I found th