276 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



in a fatal shot than if others were present about 

 whose safety I felt anxious. I was quite anxious 

 enough about my own as I stalked stealthily 

 and carefully against the wind, using the utmost 

 care in getting through the tangled jungle so as 

 not to make too much noise. At last, as I peeped 

 cautiously through the green leaves of a great 

 tree whose branches hung to the ground, I saw 

 the huge beast confronting me not fifteen yards 

 ahead. The sight of him brought me to a rigid 

 halt, and peering more intently I saw that he was 

 not standing but lying down at full length on his 

 side. He was not dead, however, as his flanks 

 were gently heaving up and down — at least I 

 thought this was the case — so I put two more shots 

 into him to end his career and prevent him from 

 doing any further damage. Seeing then that he 

 did not move I went up to him and found that 

 what I had taken to be the heavinor flanks was 

 merely the moving shadow of some branches 

 swayed by the wind above his body. I now gave 

 a loud halloo and called to my companions to 

 come up, as he was stone dead. They very soon 

 arrived at the spot, and as it was Mrs. B.'s elephant 

 she was placed in triumph on his back and photo- 

 graphed. 



I knew, of course, that one of the tusks was broken 



