HUNTING ELEPHANTS 411 



few miuutes after several of the spoorers affirmed that they had heard 

 the elephants break a tree in advance ; they differed, however, about 

 the direction, some saying it was in front, and others that it was away 

 to our left. Two or three men quickly ascended the tallest trees 

 that stood near us, but they could not see the elephants. Mutchui- 

 sho then extended men to the right and left, while we continued on 

 the spoor. 



In a few minutes one of those who had gone off to our left came 

 running breathless to say that he had seen the mighty game. I halted, 

 for a minute, and instructed Isaac, who carried the big Dutch rifle, 

 to act independently of me, while Kleinboy was to assist me in the 

 chase ; but, as usual, when the row began, my followers thought only 

 of number one. I bared my arms to the shoulder, and, having im- 

 bibed a draught of aqua pura from the calabash of one of the spoorers, 

 I grasped my trusty two-grooved rifle, and told my guide to go ahead. 

 We proceeded silently as might be for a few hundred yards., following 

 the guide, when he suddenly pointed, exclaiming, " Klow !" and be- 

 fore us stood a herd of mighty bull elephants, packed together be- 

 neath a shady grove about a hundred and fifty yards in advance. I 

 rode slowly toward them, and, as soon as they observed me, they 

 made a loud rumbling noise, and, tossing their trunks, wheeled right 

 about and made off in one direction, crashing through the forest and 

 leaving a cloud of dust behind them. I was accompanied by a de- 

 tachment of my dogs, who assisted me in the pursuit. 



The distance I had come, and the difficulties I had undergone, to 

 behold these elephants, rose fresh before me. I determined that on 

 this occasion at least I would do my duty, and, dashing my spurs into 

 " Sunday's" ribs, I was very soon too close in their rear for safety. 

 The elephants'now made an inclination to my left, whereby I obtained 

 a good view of the ivory. The herd consisted of six bulls; four of 

 them were full-grown, first-rate elephants; che other two were fine 

 fellows, but had not yet arrived at perfect stature. Of the four old 

 fellows, two had much finer tusks than the rest, and for a few seconds 

 I was undecided which of these two I would follow ; when, suddenly 

 the one which I fancied had the stoutest tusks broke from his com- 

 rades, and I at once felt convinced that he was the patriarch of the 



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