African Hunter Published Books Campfire Tales Volume 1 of 20 | Page 8

proposition, with virtually no margin for error. Sneaking in among
these one ton freight trains and suddenly realizing that they are all
around you, some merely scant yards away, will cause even the
coolest customer to feel as if his heart is about to burst out of his
chest! That stalking buff is a dangerous game was very apparent
by Pete’s sudden mood shift from his normally easy-going manner
to dead serious intensity. Over a dozen times during the next two
days, we would attempt to work in close enough to get it done.
Mostly, we would be crawling on our hands and knees,
slithering on our bellies or dragging along feet first by pushing off
with our hands, all to no avail. The slightest sound, sight, smell or
motion would set them off; fortunately, away from us. After each
stalk, I was a nervous wreck, but I never felt more alive. This is
real hunting!
STAMPEDE
Pete motioned that I cradle the gun in my arms and crawl along
on elbows and belly... and hurry up! As we got closer to the monster
bull we had targeted, we burrowed deeper into the herd. “My God,
there are buffalo everywhere!” I caught myself thinking, “better
get back on task or they could be on you, son,” and suddenly,
they exploded. Who knows what triggered their sudden urge to
flee the country, but it wasn’t much. Suddenly, we were in a dust
storm with a runaway train in front of us. At least, we hoped, it
was just in front. They bunched up, over one hundred strong, as
they crossed the dry riverbed towards the road. We ran after them,
Pete, lead tracker Jorrem, and I, hoping to either pick one off or
work them into position. “Taka come in!” Peter radioed to the
driver. “They are headed for you! Drive up and down the road and
honk the horn. Try to turn them!” By now, the decibel level had
risen to near earthquake pitch. Pete hollered into the radio so as to
be heard above the rumble of the runaway herd. Fortunately, the
apprentice guide/driver Taka understood because Debra was also
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African Hunter Magazine - Campfire Tales, Volume One