"I perceive," he said, "that you are either mad, White Man, or you are
a prince of wizards. Mad you do not seem to be, for your eyes are calm,
therefore a wizard you must be. Well, stand behind me: by-and-by I will
hear your message and ask of you to show me your powers; but before then
there are things which I must do. Are the lads ready? Ho, you, loose the
bull!"

At the command a line of soldiers moved from the right, forming itself
up in front of the king and his attendants, revealing a number of
youths, of from sixteen to seventeen years of age, armed with sticks
only, who stood in companies outside a massive gate. 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. At length, exhausted and terrified, the brute
headed back straight up the lane where the main body of the youths were
waiting for it. Now it was among them, and, reckless of wounds or death,