THE ILEPHANt's FOUNTAIN. 257 



sun ; but the powerful and cruel Matabili had attacked 

 the tribe, and driven them to seek a home elsewhere. 

 [ shot a pallah and a wildebeest, which we secured be- 

 hind the wagons. About 10 A.M. we inspanned, and 

 within a mile of Lepeby we passed through another 

 similar open vley, containing a strong fountain of de- 

 licious water. We continued our march till sundo%vn 

 through an undulating open country, thinly covered 

 with detached trees and thorny bushes, and encamped 

 in a sandy desert without water. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



The BamaJigwato Mountains — The Elephant's Fountain — A Troop of 

 colossal Giraffes — Elephants drinking by Night — Habits of the Afri- 

 can Ele[)hant — Elephant Hunt — A Bull shot after a dungrerous En- 

 counter — Cutting out the Tusks — Extraordinary Rucks — Mountain 

 Retreat of Sicomy, King of Bamangwato — His Cunning — Barter Mus- 

 kets for Ivory — His Majesty's cui'ious Gun-practice — Trading for Na- 

 tive Weapons. 



On the 25th, at dawn of day, we inspanned, and 

 trekked about five hours in a northeasterly course, 

 through a boundless open country sparingly adorned 

 with dwarfish old trees. In the distance the long-sought 

 mountains of Bamangwato at length loomed blue before 

 me. We halted beside a glorious fountain, which at 

 once made me forget all the cares and difficulties I had 

 encountered in reaching it. The name of this fountain 

 was Massouey, but I at once christened it " the Ele- 

 phant's own Fountain." This Mas a very remarkable 

 spot on the southern borders of endless elephant forests, 

 at which I had at length arrived. The fountain was deep 



