SKILFUL SPOORING. 



OD 



drove he confidently asserted that there were some 

 big bulls, that the party were proceeding to fresh 

 haunts, and that they assuredly were in a hurry, as 

 they scarcely fed. 



A council of war was held forthwith, and an im- 

 mediate pursuit resolved upon ; but, as it was more 

 than probable that the game would lead us a long 

 chase, blankets and other necessaries for camping 

 out were deemed indispensable adjuncts to our 

 comfort. 



The day was already warm and close, and 

 threatened to be a scorcher before noon. Still, 

 such trifles must not deter the elephant hunter from 

 pursuing his avocation, if he desires to make his 

 business remunerative. 



The spoor was easily found ; it was so exactly 

 what it had been represented that the skill of the 

 young Mantatee received commendations both from 

 Sunday and Umpiqua. Fearing that we might 

 have to enter a country without water, canteens and 

 gourds were filled to the bungs, a proceeding never 

 to be neglected when entering a new country in 

 Southern Africa. 



The discoverer of the game led the way, and at 

 such a pace that it seemed a marvel how he could 

 so rapidly get over the ground and yet correctly 

 follow the trail. For more than an hour our course 

 led through heavily timbered land, then through 

 openings, and later on into dense brush. Ultimately 



D 2 



