that even
our horses would stop their mad career and tremble, as if they
considered them supernatural; but it was only for a second, and they
dashed on.

A noble stag passed close to us, his strength was exhausted; three
minutes afterwards, we passed him--dead. But soon, with the rushing
noise of a whirlwind, the mass of heavier and less speedy animals closed
upon us: buffaloes and wild horses, all mixed together, an immense dark
body, miles in front, miles in depth; on they came, trampling and
dashing through every obstacle. This phalanx was but two miles from us.
Our horses were nearly exhausted; we gave ourselves up for lost; a few
minutes more, and we should be crushed to atoms.

At that moment, the sonorous voice of Gabriel was heard, firm and
imperative. He had long been accustomed to danger, and now he faced it
with his indomitable energy, as if such scenes were his proper
element:--"Down from your horses," cried he; "let two of you keep them
steady. Strip off your shirts, linen, anything that will catch fire;
quick, not a minute is to be lost." Saying this, he ignited some tinder
with the pan of his pistol, and was soon busy in making a fire with all
the clothes we now threw to him. Then we tore up withered grass and
Buffalo-dung, and dashed them on the heap.

Before three minutes had passed, our fire burned fiercely. On came the
terrified mass of animals, and perceiving the flame of our fire before
them, they roared with rage and terror, yet they turned not, as we had
hoped. On they came, and already we could distinguish their horns, their
feet, and the white foam; our fuel was burning out, the flames were
lowering; the parson gave a scream, and fainted. On came the maddened
myriads, nearer and nearer; I could see their wild eyes glaring; they
wheeled not, opened not a passage, but came on like messengers of
death--nearer--nearer--nearer still. My brain reeled, my eyes grew dim;
it was horrible, most horrible! I dashed down with my face covered, to
meet my fate.

At that moment I heard an explosion, then a roar, as if proceeding from
ten millions of buffalo-bulls--so stunning, so stupifying was the sound
from the mass of animals, not twenty yards from us. Each moment I
expected the hoofs which were to trample us to atoms; and yet, death
came not. I only heard the rushing as of a mighty wind and the trembling
of the earth. I raised my head and looked.

Gabriel at the critical moment had poured some whisky