Page:H. D. Traill - From Cairo to the Soudan Frontier.djvu/126

108 can be called—the buffalo may arrive at the winning-post without the man, who in that case usually contemplates the close of the contest from a sitting position some fifty or a hundred yards in the rear. Or, secondly, the man may arrive without the buffalo, which occurs in those cases in which the buffalo, having rid himself of his rider at an early stage of the proceedings, makes at once for his desert home. Or, thirdly, the man may arrive at the winning-post dragging the buffalo after him, which occurs when a buffalo having thrown without disabling his rider shows a disposition to exchange the part of a competitor for that of a spectator. Or fourthly, the buffalo may arrive, dragging the man after him, a situation generally created by the endeavours of a dismounted rider to stop his runaway steed by seizing its tail. Or, lastly, the man and the buffalo may reach the post side by side, the former affectionately clasping the latter round the neck, and making desperate but