I therefore returned towards the tent, fully expecting to meet my old enemy, the bull, whom I had left master of the field.

In this I was not disappointed; he was standing within a few yards of the same spot, and, upon seeing me, he immediately advanced, having a very poor opinion of an enemy who had retreated from him an hour previous.
Instead of charging at a rapid pace he trotted slowly up, and I gave him the four-ounce when within fifty yards.

This knocked him over; but, to my astonishment, he recovered himself instantly and galloped towards me.
Again he stopped within twenty yards of me, and it was fortunate for me that he did; for a servant who was carrying my long two-ounce rifle had, in his excitement, cocked it and actually set the hair-trigger.

This he managed to touch as he handed it to me, and it exploded close to my head.

I had only a light double-gun loaded, and the buffalo was evidently prepared to charge in a few seconds.
To my great satisfaction I saw the bloody foam gathering upon his lips, and I knew that he was struck through the lungs; but, nevertheless, the distance was so short between us that he could reach me in two or three bounds.