88 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



delicious fresh honey, to which 1 proceeded to do 

 ample justice. Late in the afternoon the boys came 

 back with the three tusks, and loaded with fat and 

 meat. They reported having crossed fresh spoor, 

 about half-way between the skerm and the dead 

 elephants ; so, there being evidently several herds of 

 those animals about, I resolved to remain at least a 

 week here, and hunt the country thoroughly all round. 

 During the night we heard nothing at the water, but on 

 going down early the next morning were rejoiced to 

 find that, nevertheless, a fine troop of bulls had drunk 

 there, and gone out in the same direction as those 

 we had followed on Saturday. Filling the calabashes, 

 we were soon following at a brisk pace. For the 

 first hour they took nearly the same course as those 

 we had last shot ; but after a time, turning in a more 

 northerly direction, the spoor took us on to one of 

 the large elephant footpaths, which are so common in 

 this part of the country. Here they had evidently 

 stepped out at a great pace, as if something had 

 frightened them. Hour after hour we trudged along 

 the path, until I began to think we stood but a small 

 chance of coming up with them ; but, as elephant 

 bulls are not to be seen every day, I determined not 

 to give it up yet awhile, although, as I rested under 

 a tree for the first time for a few minutes, my boys 

 tried to dissuade me trom following the spoor any 

 farther — for, said they, the elephants are evidently 

 trekking, and do not intend standing during the heat 

 of the day, and we shall only have to sleep without 

 blankets, food, and water, for nothing. It was a 

 sweltering hot day, and our water was indeed very 

 nearly out ; but, still hoping for the best, I bade them 

 be quiet and take the spoor again, which they sulkily 

 did. After another hour's walking the spoor again 



