1 86 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



we came to a spot where the elephants had evidently 

 tarried a long time, as the soft sandy soil was dug 

 into holes and ploughed up in all directions, no 

 doubt in search of roots, I began to get interested, 

 and regretted having left my best running Bushman 

 behind. After following the spoor for half a mile or 

 so farther, we again came to a place where they had 

 routed up some hundred yards of ground, and from 

 whence it seemed they had not long moved on. I 

 now felt sure of coming up with them, and, in point 

 of tact, atter tracking them for another hour in a 

 semicircular course, I sighted, standing under some 

 large trees, a small troop that had lagged behind the 

 main body. Amongst these there were four good 

 cows, and a lot of young things, ranging from the 

 size of a pig upwards. As I looked at them, trying 

 to pick out the best, a little calf kept endeavouring to 

 insert its head between its mother's fore-legs and get 

 at her breasts : she, however, pertinaciously warded 

 off her thirsty offspring, and at last, losing all 

 patience, gave the little animal a butt with her fore- 

 head that sent it flying several yards. The finest 

 elephant, carrying a pair of long white tusks, stood 

 nearly facing me ; so, advancing cautiously to a tree 

 about thirty vards from her, 1 took a sight on her 

 chest, and aiming on one side of her trunk, fired. 

 With a roar she turned, and crashed away with the 

 rest at a tremendous pace ; seizing my second gun 

 from the hands of Hellhound, who stood beside me, 

 I gave another a good shot in the ribs, and followed 

 on at my best speed. After going a hundred yards 

 the cow first shot fell dead, the bullet having passed 

 through her heart. 



My guns were by this time both reloaded ; so, 

 calling on my attendants to keep close, I made a 



