Basto

"Firing into a crowd of hundreds is not the same as firing at a charging basto," said Duare; "where there were so many, you couldn't miss them all." ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1963)

The bellowing of the basto started off the rest of the lower animals, including the nobargans, which growl and roar like beasts. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1963)

It might be kloonobargan, the hairy, man-eating savages; or a tharban, that most frightful of lion-like carnivores; or a basto, a huge, omnivorous beast that bears some slight resemblance to the American bison; or, perhaps worst of all, ordinary human beings like yourself, but with a low evaluation of life -- that is, your life. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1963)

"A basto," whispered Kamlot, but from his previous description of the beast I had already guessed its identity. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

The basto stopped and looked about as he heard my companion's voice. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

I had not forgotten the ferocious basto that Kamlot and I had encountered in Vepaja, and, though I had seen nothing quite so formidable as yet among the nearer beasts, there were some creatures grazing at a considerable distance from me whose lines suggested a too great similarity to those bisonlike omnivores to insure ease of mind. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

When a basto appears upon the scene, man is as often the hunted as the hunter, but we are not hunting bastos now. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

His spear lay on the ground not far from the enraged beast and his position appeared utterly hopeless should the basto discover him before he could reach the safety of another tree. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

From Kamlot's description I visualized the basto as an enormous boar with horns, or a buffalo with the jaws and teeth of a carnivore, and judged that its twelve hundred pounds of weight would render it a most formidable beast. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

The basto had located us and was advancing, uttering a sound that would have put to shame the best efforts of a full-grown lion. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

What I saw drove the basto and the feat of Kamlot from my thoughts. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

When they saw us, they pointed at Kamlot, and I heard them telling some of the sailors that he was the one who had slain the basto with a single sword thrust, a feat which appeared to force their admiration, as well it might have. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

As I started in pursuit, I saw the mighty basto lower its head and charge straight for my companion, who stood there motionless with his puny sword and the leafy branch grasped one in either hand. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

To my surprise, he dropped his spear to the ground and carried in its stead a slender leafy branch which he cut from the tree before descending to engage the bellowing basto. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

I thought that he must have gone crazy and should not have heeded him had not his voice attracted the attention of the basto and frustrated any attempt that I might have made to keep the beast's eyes upon me. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1962)

The basto is an ill tempered, omnivorous brute, always looking for trouble. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1935)

With fearful strokes of its talons it was tearing the basto to shreds. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1935)

She was silent for a moment, looking down at the basto. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1935)

Its head a bloody mass of torn flesh, the basto threw itself upon its back with almost cat-like agility, seeking to crush the life from its tormentor; but the tharban leaped to one side and, as the bull scrambled to its feet, sprang in again. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1935)

With ready horns and tail stiffly erect, the basto waited to catch it and toss it again. ❋ Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950 (1935)