42 HUNTING TRIPS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA. 



The reason the elephant stood was that the second bullet, which hit his shoulder- 

 bone, must have cracked or broken it. This might be called a lucky shot. 



As the elephant fell in a kneeling position, I could not measure his shoulder 

 height, but I feel certain he was over eleven feet, for I have not seen a taller elephant 

 since, although I have seen thicker-set and heavier animals. After the excitement 

 was over, I sat down and had a smoke, and put my little kettle on a fire to brew a cup 

 of tea. I also sent two men off to Mponda's village to call the natives. After 

 photographing the animal, I set to work to get the tusks out by first cutting off the 

 head. The right tusk was slightly broken at the point, and the two measured 

 6ft. 6in. and 6ft. respectively, and weighed 53ilb. and 471b., which is better than the 

 average. Besides the tusks, I took a few of the molars, which make nice paper- 

 weights when cut into slabs. The tail and the feet are also trophies, and are always 

 worth taking. I was very pleased at getting this elephant, for it helped to make up 

 for previous ill-luck, and I had not much trouble to get up to the beast ; for two 

 hours is a very short time to spend in spooring a bull. Next day I returned to 

 Fort Manning for a rest, and to see my friends there, who were keen hunters. It 

 is pleasant, sitting over a fire, talking to congenial companions about sport, and to 

 fight our battles with big game over again. 



elephant's tail. 



