Presently this gate was opened, and through it, with a mad bellow, rushed a wild buffalo bull.

On seeing them the brute halted, and for a few moments stood pawing the earth and tearing it with its great horns.

Then it put down its head and charged.

Instead of making way for it, uttering a shrill whistling sound, the youths rushed at the beast, striking with their sticks.
Another instant, and one of them appeared above the heads of his companions, thrown high into the air, to be followed by a second and a third.

Now the animal was through the throng and carrying a poor boy on its horn, whence presently he fell dead; through and through the ranks of the regiments it charged furiously backward and forward.
Watching it fascinated, Owen noted that it was a point of honour for no man to stir before its rush; there they stood, and if the bull gored them, there they fell.