HUNTING THE ELEHIAXT 



AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



CHAPTER XLVII. 



ELEPHANT HUNTING BY MOONLIGHT, 

 the 17th of September, says Mr. Gumming, I resolved to 

 leave the fountain of Seboono, as it was much disturbed, and 

 to proceed with a few Bakalahari to a small yet famous water 

 about six miles to the southeast. We accordingly saddled up 

 and held thither. On reaching this fountain, which is called by 

 the natives " Paapaa," I found the numerous foot-paths leading to 

 it covered, as I had anticipated, with fresh spoor of elephant and 

 rhinoceros. I then at once proceeded to study the best spot on 

 which to make our shooting-hole for the night. It would be im- 

 possible to prevent some of the game from getting our wind, for 

 the foot-paths led to it from every side. The prevailing wind was 

 from the east, so I pitched upon the southwest corner of the foun- 

 tain. The water was not more than twenty yards long and ten 

 broad. The west side was bounded by tufous rock, which rose 

 abruptly from the water about five feet high. The top of this 



