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23
[[underlined]] Jan 7. [[/underlined]]
Off 20 mins before dawn to try and catch the Buffalo out feeding, but even so we were too late.  They were only just in front of us as we spoored them up into the forest.  We crept along their tracks as quietly as we could, but even then I think they heard us for we found where they had been lying down in an open glade.  We had gone about half a mile into the forest when we suddenly heard something move in front of us & peering through, could see some great grey forms about 100 yards off.  C ran out a little to the right & Bates in the middle.  I could only make out a great back and fired at that.  The Beast pitched forward & went over but must have got up immediately & made off though I did not see him do so. C & Bates both fired as I did.  C luckily got a broadside shot & hit his beast through the lungs, dropping it on the spot. Away dashed the herd with a tremendous crash and as we advanced they circled to our right & crossed the path we had come up. We had another glimpse of them through the trees