th itself for its
inability to mangle its victim with hoof and horns, at the same time.

While this scene was transpiring, Groot Willem was given time to reload
his roer. A bullet through its body brought the buffalo again to its
knees, from which it had just arisen to continue the pursuit. Bellowing
in a manner that caused the air to vibrate for a mile around the spot,
the creature once more rose to its feet, staggered a pace or two, and
then sank back to the earth, to rise no more. It had been severely
wounded by the first fire, and the grass for a large space round it was
sprinkled with its blood.

Groot Willem was not the only one who had been charged upon. Arend and
Hendrik were also obliged to retreat, each pursued by a brace of bulls.
Fortunately the hill was close at hand, and against its sloping side
they urged their horses both with whip and spur.

The immense weight of the buffalo bull hinders him from running rapidly
up hill, although in the contrary direction he will often overtake a
horse. As the animals in question soon perceived the hopelessness of
the chase, they abandoned it; and trotting back to the drove, now going
off over the plain below, they left the young hunters in quiet
possession of the spoil they had obtained. This was what the hunters
supposed they would do. They soon saw their mistake, as the four bulls,
instead of continuing on after the retreating drove, turned suddenly to
one side, and rushed towards a wounded bull that was lagging a long way
in the rear. A spectacle was now witnessed which caused astonishment to
those who saw it. Instead of trying to protect their injured companion,
the four bulls set upon it, flinging it from its feet, and goring it
with their horns. This cruel treatment was continued until the
unfortunate animal lay still in death. They did not appear to be
inspired by any feeling of rage, but only acting under some instinct not
understood. There seemed something horrible in this attack upon their
disabled companion. But alas! it was not so very unlike what, often
occurs among men,--misfortune too frequently turning friends into
enemies.

After settling with their wounded comrade, the four bulls continued
their retreat, and soon overtook the herd they had tarried to protect.

The buffalo shot by Willem was the largest our hunters had yet killed;
and curiosity led them to make a note of its dimensions. It was eight
feet in length, and nearly six in