A BUFFALO HUNT IN THE TRANSVAAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2662, 3 August 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

A BUFFALO HUNT IN THE TRANSVAAL.

TiiKRE can be no doubt (says a writer in Land aud Water) that the South African buffalo is rapidly becoming very rare in the Transvaal, though there still exists a few troops in some of the fly-infested districts of the north cast. Tin , , scene of our hunt in the latter end of last October was a semi-detached kloof, about a mile in length, on the north bank of the Mtitshi, and having a long, high ridge, densely wooded, and a rough, irregular plain between it and the river. It was a choice spot for a shot at buffalo. Our party consisted of four rifles, G and his son H , F , and myself. We had confidently expected Mr E , our native commissioner, to join us, but he was prevented at the last moment from doing so. I had previously ■ sent word round amongst the native head-men that we wanted a number of volunteer beaters, and on the day appointed they turned up promptly enough ; so that when we mustered them on thu ridges above the scene of operations we found we had between 00 aud 70 likely and unlikely - looking assistants. Wo distributed sundry bunches of squibs and crackers amougst tho leaders, with orders to blaze away and not sparo them. One old fellow, evidently short of pockets, threaded the strinir, holding tho bunch of crackers, through each ear. When we were ready wo divided our gang into three parts, one receiving instructions to proceed t'» tho lower end of the kloof, to prevent tho e.-capo of our game in that direction ; another to get round on the big spur and try to fire the jungle ; and the third to enter the hush at the bead of the kloof, aud drive down. We ourselves proceeded down the north side of the kloof, and stationed ourselves at likely openings, keeping on the /jiti vti'c tho while for any unforeseen event which might necessitate tho alteration of our plans. After detailing , how tho writer aud one of his companions fpent some hours in hard toil up and down a steep hill on the erroneous supposition that some buffalos had broken cover and made for the river three miles off, the writer goes on to describe the final scene when, having regained their old position at the north side of the kloof, they were startled by the barking of dogs ami the crushing of branches. Both of us (lie say?) grasped our rifles more firmly, and strained our watchful eyes for a glimpse of the game, now certainly afoot. A perfect fnsilado resounds through the bus!), echoed again anil again by the surrounding liiils and kloofs. Hark to the crashing of the unlerwood, as the huge brutes dash headlong through it ! Kvcrytliing gives way before them ; the very stones are dashed asiJe with a clatter, and the giant creepers barring their course snap like threads before the mighty rush of tho infuriated beasts ! A few of the best dogs followed them, as they tnri , down through the kloof at top speed; so they must either break cover or stand at bay. A short pause—look down in the reed-bed below us ; see how the feathered heads quiver and tremble and wave ! In rush the dog*. With wild, angry snorts the gallant animals turn on their pursuers ; but anxious for another try to reach the open and the dense bush over the spur, they dash in on tho dogs, and before we cau (•crumble down to tho scene of action two bulls successfully roach tho fjrass jungle on the other side of tho kloof. But it avails them little, for they only expose themselves to our fire from across the kloof. Sharply riug out our rifles, and with imtnediato effect, for they cease their efforts to climb tho spur, and first one and then tho other turns and stands to bay for the List time. For a few minutes all was confusion, of which ono of tho grim old monsters takes advantage and makes a headlong charge, scattering dogs and natives in a manner which rominds one forcibly of spring buck on the High Veldt, when a bullet drops among a clump of them But it is his last effort, for ere ho can regain the covert he left ho trembles, totters, and fulls. Face to his foes stands his companion, bis little gleaming eyes peering forth in anger from under the gnarled frout of horn. A splendidly-delivered shot from H 's unerring , riflo decides the day. The old bull, on receiving the shot, turns half buck in the cover with a defiant bellow, makes yet another game attempt to charge, staggers a few pace.-', and falls, not twenty feet from where lay his grim companion. They proved to bo two very riue full-grown bulU, real bushbuffalo, very dark in colour, and uncommonly thick-set. We ascertained that tho troop originally cousisted of fifteen or twenty buffalo, some of them getting away through the connecting strip of bush lit the upper end of the kloof. The two bulU we bagged had evidently remained in tho bush from the-first. They were in poor condition, but there did not seem to be much regret on that account amongst our boys, as the huge beasts were cut up and divided amongst them. Wo weio satisfied with the tongues for our share.