224 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



As with the ivory that I had previously buried I 

 now had as much as my Kafirs could possibly carry, 

 and as I was many days' journey distant from my 

 waggons, I resolved to return thither at once with 

 what I had, and then try my luck again amongst 

 the mountains to the eastward of the Victoria Falls. 

 So, on PViday, September ii, I made a start, and 

 ultimately reached Daka (where my waggons were 

 standing) on Saturday evening the 26th, after an 

 absence of three months. On the last day, starting 

 from Gazuma just at sunrise, I walked on ahead of 

 my Kafirs, and, passing Pandamatenka about mid-day, 

 at last reached the waggons a little before sundown, 

 which, though I do not know the exact distance, I 

 look upon as a very good day's work, as I carried my 

 heavy elephant gun and the sun was intensely hot. 

 My Kafirs, who were carrying heavy loads, did not 

 arrive till late the following day. During my return 

 journey I shot one more elephant (to which I have 

 before referred), and several bufFaloes and antelopes 

 for food. The death of two of these buffaloes is 

 perhaps worthy of notice. 



Early one morning, as I was walking in front of 

 my Kafirs, I espied two old bulls just ahead — the 

 one lying down, and the other standing. As I 

 wanted meat I at once made preparations to circum- 

 vent them, so, taking my favourite elephant gun, and 

 closely attended by Hellhound, who carried its fellow, 

 I crept up to a bush within fifteen yards of the 

 nearest, which was lying fast asleep, and at once 

 rudely disturbed its slumbers with a four-ounce ball 

 behind the shoulder. On receiving this mortal 

 wound, the stricken animal rolled on to its back with 

 all four legs high in the air, whilst its comrade, a 

 hairless old brute, with horns worn down to mere 



