his mistake, and allowed him to make one or two more remarks
about it; I then told him that it was a bush-pig. "No! a buffalo," he
positively asserted. The grass was long but green, and no sand could be
seen, or any ground that could take an impression. I said that a
bush-pig had passed there just now. "I know it," he answered; "look
here,"--pointing to where the grass was trodden down, and was still
springing slowly up again,--"that is wild pig, but that"--pointing to
some other marks that were on the same track--"is buffalo. Besides, a
wild pig does not eat the tops of grass." As he gave this last
conclusive argument, he picked a handful of grass, and showed me the
tops eaten off. I saw that I had fallen several degrees in his
estimation by such great want of observation. The matter being settled
beyond a doubt, he followed instantly on the trail, which led down to
the river. Inkau moved at a run, so _I_ mounted to keep up with him.
We soon came to a part of the bush too thick for a horse to go through;
I therefore dismounted, off-saddled, and turned my nag out to graze, and
then entered the bush. As we neared the game, which we knew we were
doing by the freshness of the spoor, Inkau slackened his pace; he was
steady as a rock, and was evidently well supplied with nerves. He asked
me whether I felt at all afraid, as he would go on alone if I did. I
answered him by holding out my gun at arm's length, when he, seeing it
quite steady, complimented me, but cautioned me by saying that the
buffaloes here were very dangerous. I did not think this was such sharp
work as the elephant-hunting about Natal, in the thick bush, as although
the buffalo is very savage and cunning, a small tree will save you from
him, whereas an elephant must be fenced off with rather a big one. The
usual careful approach being made, the danger in this sport is not very
great. Accidents happen to men who move carelessly, either thinking
that they are not near game, or anxious to show that they are not
afraid. An incautious person is sure, sooner or later, to meet with a
mishap, if he goes much after dangerous animals. A true sportsman need
not trouble himself about what people think. Some may take a delight in
being able to say that they have walked in a bush, and tired at
elephants and buffaloes, without any of the precautions that I have
named as necessary; I should recommend them not to do so often. We shot
this buffalo, but I will