92 FOLLOWING THE SPOOR. 



piece and joining us. Having marked out, before leav- 

 ing the tree, as pot to land at, we were soon pulling 

 up the river, the Makololos, in their excitement at the 

 idea of '' meat," forgetting all about their sore hands 

 and weary arms, and pulUng well. 



Having reached the spot fixed on we landed, and 

 soon took up the elephant spoor. Within half a mile 

 of the bank stood a large tree, the only one (with the 

 exception of that which we had left) to be seen. Under 

 this tree five elephants had taken up their post, and 

 stood close together, intent upon sleeping through the 

 hottest part of the day. When we were within fifty 

 yards of them, we held a consultation as to our plan 

 of attack, and it was decided that Mr. Young should 

 open the ball with the wall-piece. 



I now took the lead, closely followed by Mr. 

 Young, behind whom was a man carrying the wall- 

 piece, and Molbka with my spare guns. I succeeded 

 in crawling through the long grass, unperceived, to 

 within some fifteen yards of the elephants, and seeing 

 I could get no closer, told Mr. Young he might be- 

 gin. He got his gun into position by making a 

 native kneel down in front of him, and la}dng it on 

 his shoulder. One of the elephants offered a very 

 good temple shot, and having pointed out the spot to 

 Mr. Young, I pushed myself a little bit on one side, 

 so as to be out of the way of the smoke from the first 

 shot. After a few seconds' suspense bang went the 

 wall-piece and away went the elephants, turning so 

 quickly and moving with such activity that I was un- 

 able to get a shot at any of their heads, which I con- 

 sidered would have been attended with success ; but 



