VI A BROADSIDE SHOT 91 



and if there is any bush about, yet here, there being 

 only the few dead branches of the mopani tree to 

 screen me from their sight, 1 was afraid they might 

 see me, and run before I could get there ; however, 

 I reached the tree safely enough without disturbing 

 them, and was just climbing over some of the 

 prostrate branches to get to the farther side, when, 

 unfortunately, I trod upon a dry stick, which broke 

 with a loud crack, and the larger elephant hearing it 

 immediately walked a few steps forward, and stood 

 with his head up and ears extended, listening intently. 

 I was now not more than thirty yards off, and he was 

 standing broadside on, offering a splendid shot, but, 

 unfortunately, with his shoulder partially covered by 

 a small mopani tree against which he stood. That 

 hindered me from getting a chance at his heart ; but 

 there was no time to be lost, as he might imagine 

 danger was near, and run at any moment ; so, taking 

 an aim for his lungs (which, if in the right spot, is 

 almost a better shot for large game than through the 

 heart), I touched the hair trigger, I myself being 

 nearly knocked down by the recoil of the heavily 

 charged gun. On receiving the bullet the huge beast 

 uttered a loud roar, half bellow, half groan, and, 

 followed by his companion, tore down the gently 

 sloping hill at a tremendous rate. Throwing down 

 the gun to be loaded and brought on by my attendant, 

 I, closely followed by my second gun-carrier and re- 

 maining Kafirs (whose work it was to get ahead of 

 the elephants and turn them back towards me), dashed 

 after them in eager pursuit. At the bottom of the 

 hill, about two hundred yards distant, was a deep 

 watercourse, and whilst the elephants were getting 

 through this we gained on them considerably. The 

 ivounded one, on reaching the top of the opposite 



