ELEPHANT HUNTING. 339 



Another large detachment being close behind us at the same 

 moment, we were compelled to retreat, dodging from tree to 

 tree, stumbling among sharp stones, and ever coming upon 

 fresh parties of the enemy. This scene of ludicrous confu- 

 sion did not long continue, and soon approaching the pros- 

 trate lady, we put an end to her struggles by a shot in the 

 forehead. Andries now came up in high good humour at his 

 achievements, and in the most bravado manner, discharged 

 his piece into the dead carcass, under the pretence that the 

 animal was shamming. His object evidently was to confound 

 the shots, for, thrusting his middle finger into the orifice made 

 by my two-ounce ball, he with the most modest assurance 

 declared himself the author of the deed, being pleased alto- 

 gether to overlook the fact of the mortal shot having entered 

 the elephant on the opposite side to that on which he was 

 stationed, and that his own ball, whether designedly or not, 

 had all but finished my worthy and esteemed fellow-traveller. 



On our way to the camp, of the exact position of which we 

 were uncertain, in consequence of the late inundation, we 

 passed three other large herds of elephants. One of these 

 standing directly in the route, we attacked it, and pursued 

 the fugitives about a mile over loose stones. Much has been 

 said of the attachment of elephants to their young, but nei- 

 ther oh this, nor any subsequent occasion, did we perceive 

 them evince the smallest concern for their safety ; and those 

 who were behind us assagaied one, the tail of which they 

 brought in. We slew another old female as we ascended the 

 brow of an eminence, and at the same moment perceived our 

 wagons within a few hundred yards of the spot. The whole 

 herd dashed through the camp, causing indescribable conster- 

 nation among cattle and followers ; but fortunately no acci- 

 dent occurred ; and after the fatiguing day's work we had 

 undergone, we were not sorry to find ourselves at home. 



"Watery clouds hung about the sun as he set heavily be- 

 hind the mountains. Loud peals of crashing thunder rent 



