The principal tenants of the plain were wild buffaloes.
A herd of about a hundred were lying in a swampy hollow about a quarter of a mile from us: Several single bulls were dotted about the green surface of the level plain, and on the opposite shores of the lake were many dark patches undistinguishable in the distance; these were in reality herds of buffaloes.

There was not a sound in the wide expanse before us, except the harsh cry of the water-fowl that our presence had already disturbed--not a breath of air moved the leaves of the trees which shaded us--and the whole scene was that of undisturbed nature.
The sun had now sunk low upon the horizon, and the air was comparatively cool.

The multitude of buffaloes enchanted us, and with our two light double-barrels, we advanced to the attack of the herd before us.
We had not left the obscurity of the forest many seconds before we were observed.

The herd started up from their muddy bed and gazed at us with astonishment.

It was a fair open plain of some thousand acres, bounded by the forest which we had just quitted on the one side, and by the lake on the other; thus there was no cover for our advance, and all we could do was to push on.
As we approached the herd they ranged up in a compact body, presenting a very regular line in front.