A THIRSTY WALK. 215 



yards of them, but in consequence of the want of 

 cover, it was impossible to get closer. They were all 

 cows, with small tusks, the longest being only about 

 two feet out. Seeing there was no chance of getting 

 near enough for a head shot, I fired both barrels at 

 the outside, and, to all appearance, largest one, aim- 

 ing just behind the shoulder. Directly 1 had fired 

 the whole herd started off, passing me within twelve 

 yards, but I had no second gun ; the Makololos had 

 bolted — and Moloka was not there. When the ele- 

 phants had gone over about sixty yards, one of 

 them stopped, gave a shrill trumpet, and fell dead. 

 I went up to it, and found both shots within three 

 inches of each other high up behind the shoulder. 

 The plucky gun-bearers meanwhile had run back to 

 where I had left the porters and my kit, and having 

 gone thither, I gave two guns to Chinsoro, and fol- 

 lowed the herd for some distance, but without success, 

 they having got quite away. 



On returning to the dead elephant, I found the 

 party had kindled fires, and were busy cooking its 

 meat ; but all were, like myself, again suffering 

 from thirst. A consultation was held, and it was 

 finally agreed to steer for the Shir^ again, and leave 

 the Rivi Rivi for to-morrow. On the way I killed a 

 small gazelle and a fine waterbuck, with the largest 

 horns I had yet procured, but the heads of these 

 animals and a little meat from the latter were all we 

 could afford time to bring. To describe the remain- 

 der of this hurried, thirsty walk, would only be to 

 repeat what I have told a few pages back. Suffice it 

 to say that at eight o'clock I reached the bank of the 



