336 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA 



shining full on them, not 60 yards off and gradually 

 coming closer ! I had taken the 8-bore on my knee, 

 and Ali, who was sitting on the top of a rock, was slowly 

 lowering himself, when, just as they drew abreast of 

 us, 30 paces distant, they winded the tainted air, and 

 in a moment the whole herd stopped dead, ears were 

 thrust forward to catch the faintest sound, while the 

 air was filled with waving trunks. It was a magnificent 

 sight for the few seconds it lasted ; then with one accord 

 they turned and moved off at a quick pace, trumpeting 

 loudly. The Abyssinians, whom Ali had been prevent- 

 ing from firing— had they done so, the herd would 

 probably have charged and pounded us to a jelly in a 

 few moments — now sprang to their feet, and, as I told them 

 they might shoot, began firing wildly into the " brown." 

 Then, with a yell, they started running after the herd, 

 which began to scatter, one small group, including two 

 cows and their calves, which were unable to keep up 

 with the rest, falling behind the main body. The 

 Abyssinians fired at and wounded one of these un- 

 fortunate calves, which they eventually slew with four 

 bullets, the cow charging several times, but in a half- 

 hearted way. They then followed, to try and kill the 

 other calf, but its mother was made of sterner stuff, 

 and leaving it with the bereaved cow, charged them in 

 such a vicious manner that they had to bolt for dear 

 life. I now left the hillock, from which I had such a 

 fine view of all that had passed, and went over to the 

 carcase of the calf, round which the valiant elephant-slayer 

 was executing a pas de sen!, singing what I presume 

 was a song of triumph, and evidently thinking himself 



