ur knapsacks and other valuables
under the charge of Shimbo, who promised that he would allow no one to
steal them; we announced that we were ready to set off. Ombay kept Aboh
by his side, that he might converse with us whenever he pleased. We had
a long march before we stopped to dine, but the party had brought a good
supply of provisions, and we had as much food as we required. We then
again set out, and continued our way until near sunset; when we arrived
at the edge of a wide prairie, bordered by the forest through which we
had passed.

"Here big beast soon come," observed Aboh.

According to the custom of the country, our companions immediately began
to set up screens of branches, behind which we were to take our post.
Harry and I were together, Charley and Tom were stationed behind another
screen, at a little distance off. We had to wait there for some time,
when I heard Aboh, who was with us, whisper something. Presently my
ears caught the sound of the trampling of hoofs, and directly afterwards
I saw by the light of the moon, just then rising, a herd of thirty or
more magnificent animals emerging from the forest, and scattering
themselves widely over the grassy plain in front of us. We were
fortunately to leeward, or our shelter would have availed us nothing.

We had now to wait patiently until some of the herd might make their way
to our screen. How soon they would do this it was impossible to say.
At all events, there was a prospect of our patience being severely
tried. We remained as silent as death. In a short time the buffalo,
who seemed not to apprehend danger, began gambolling and sporting with
each other. As there appeared no chance of their coming close to us,
Ombay made a sign to Harry and me to accompany him, and showed us how we
were to crawl along the grass until we got near enough to have a shot.
We were prepared for this, and gladly undertook to do as he proposed.
Just then the moon was obscured by a cloud, and taking advantage of this
he set out. We followed close behind him, creeping along with our heads
just raised above the grass. We stopped whenever he did, on seeing the
buffalo look towards us. Presently we were close enough to obtain fair
shots. I was afraid, should we attempt to get nearer, that the animals
might take alarm and scamper off. I therefore signed to Harry to shoot
one, while I aimed at another no great distance from us. Without
waiting for a signal from Ombay