170 UNSUCCESSFUL ELEPHANT-HUNT A CALAMITY. 



The morning after our arrival at Okamabuti, we started 

 off on a shooting excursion, in a northeast direction, in search 

 of elephants ; but, though we discovered their fresh tracks, 

 and followed these for a whole day, we were unable to over- 

 take the beasts. Notwithstanding our failure, we enjoyed 

 the trip extremely. The scenery was novel and highly in- 

 teresting. At times we crossed savannas where the grass 

 reached above our heads as we sat on the oxen, and at 

 others we passed through magnificent forests of straight- 

 stemmed and dark-foliaged timber-trees,* fit abodes for the 

 most wonderful creatures of animated nature. 



A day or two afterward a calamity befell us which we 

 had long dreaded. In order to be near the elephants, that 

 we might hunt them at our leisure, we had determined to 

 move our camp to a fountain a few hours further to the 

 northeast, that was much frequented by these animals. On 

 the morning of our departure, however, before we had pro- 

 ceeded many hundred paces, our largest wagon came in con- 

 tact with a stump of a tree, which entirely demolished the 

 foremost axle-tree. Unfortunate as this circumstance could 

 not fail to be, we had, nevertheless, every reason to feel 

 thankful it occurred where it did. The natives hereabout 

 had shown themselves well disposed toward us. Water and 

 pasturage were abundant ; and even suitable wood for re- 

 pairing the damage was to be found in the immediate neigh- 

 borhood. 



* These trees consisted chiefly of what in the Cape Colony is term- 

 ed Stink-hout, or stink-wood. It derives its peculiar name from an 

 oiFensive odor that it exhales, and which it retains until thoroughly 

 seasoned. In the grain and the shading it somewhat resembles wal- 

 nut, but in external appearance approaches the oak. Indeed, if I am 

 not mistaken, botanists have described it as quercus Africana, in which 

 case I believe it to be the only species of that kind known to be in- 

 digenous to the African continent. I am told it is by far the best wood 

 in Southern Africa, and seems well adapted for various purposes, such 

 as wagons, gunstocks, ship-building, &c. 



