to free itself were unavailing. Maddened with
terror, on dashed the buffalo, which was making its way directly towards
Ombay, who stood seemingly paralysed by fear or astonishment. No tree
which he could possibly climb up was near at hand. I saw that in a few
seconds the buffalo would be upon him, and that he would be either gored
to death or trampled under foot by it; or that the ape, springing from
its back, might, with its savage jaws and hands, tear him to pieces. I,
for a moment, was doubtful whether to kill the buffalo, or the still
more savage creature which bestrode it. I decided on aiming at the
buffalo; I might stop it in its mad career, and, rolling over it might
crush the creature on its back, or else I might have time to reload
before the ape could reach me. I took good aim, the buffalo's shoulder
was presented to me, I fired, and the huge animal, after bounding
forward three or four yards, came to the ground with a tremendous crash,
catching the leg of the ape beneath it as it rolled over on its back.
Without a moment's loss of time I reloaded, for the ape was not likely
to be much injured. Scarcely had I done so, when the monster, quickly
extricating itself, and catching sight of Prince Ombay, with a terrific
roar, striking its breast, made towards him. In another instant the
young black would have received a blow from its tremendous paws, or have
been seized by the fearful grinders which, giving a savage growl, it
exhibited as it opened its mouth. I could not have imagined a creature
with a more diabolical countenance. Human as it looked, I had no
hesitation in killing it. I fired, and my bullet striking it in the
breast, it fell flat on its face, emitting, as it did so, a hideous
death-cry, half roar, half shriek, which echoed through the forest, and
was repeated, it teemed to me, by others of the same species. Ombay,
who had been fully aware of his danger, quickly recovered, and springing
forward, dealt a blow with his hanger at the neck of the monster, which
nearly severed the head from the body. He then, seeing me advancing,
hastened forward to express his thanks, and I believe that he really was
grateful to me for saving his life, although I fancy he wished to gain
the credit of having killed his assailant himself. The uproar had
frightened away all the other buffaloes, so, with the bodies of the one
I had killed, and the ape, we forthwith returned to the camp to enjoy a
hearty breakfas