268 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



summit, the guides pointed out the elephants ; they 

 were standing in a grove of shady trees, but the 

 wounded one was some distance behind with another 

 elephant, doubtless its particular friend, who was en- 

 deavoring to assist it. These elephants had probably 

 never before heard the report of a gun, and, having 

 neither seen nor smelt me, they were unaware of the 

 presence of man, and did not seem inclined to go any 

 further. Presently my men hove in sight, bringing 

 the dogs ; and when these came up, I waited some 

 time before commencing the attack, that the dogs and 

 horses might recover their wind. We then rode slow- 

 ly toward the elephants, and had advanced within two 

 hundred yards of them when, the ground being open, 

 they observed us, and made off in an easterly direction ; 

 but the wounded one immediately dropped astern, and 

 the next moment was surrounded by the dogs, which, 

 barking angrily, seemed to engross her attention. 



Having placed myself between her and the retreat- 

 ing troop, I dismounted to fire within forty yards of 

 her, in open ground. Colesberg was extremely afraid 

 of the elephants, and gave me much trouble, jerking 

 my arm when I tried to fire. At length I let fly ; but, 

 on endeavoring to regain my saddle, Colesberg declined 

 to allow me to mount ; and when I tried to lead him, 

 and run for it, he only backed toward the wounded ele- 

 phant. At this moment I heard another elephant close 

 behind ; and on looking about, I beheld the " friend," 

 with uplifted trunk, charging down upon me at top 

 speed, shrilly trumpeting, and following an old black 

 pointer named Schwart, that was perfectly deaf, and 

 trotted along before the enraged elephant quite unaware 

 of what was behind him. I felt certain that she would 

 have either me or my horse. I, however, determined 



