AN AFRICAN BACKDROP
The setting was boundless Africa in a wide expanse in Northern Mozambique near the Tanzanian border. On the third day of tracking buffalo, guided by masters of the bush, two hunters from Africa were finally presented with two hardened and battle-scarred old buffalo bulls.
With the face-off between the open-sighted vintage Rigby rifle and the intimidating beast – considered by many as the most dangerous to hunt – at a mere 40 yards, there was no margin for error, no time to hesitate.
In the twilight of their years, two Niassa dagha boys rose and glared. Two true shots, fired consecutively from handcrafted rifles, sent loud cracks over the African plains. Both bulls sank to the ground in their tracks. As they keeled over, adrenaline, respect, pride, gratitude and a measure of sadness gushed through the hunters. This is the hunter’s grail.
Their end, as companions, was swift and dignified, unlike
