A WELCOME SURPEISE. 293 



more the infallible gumtickler did its work, and 

 never shall I forget the satisfaction I felt as I saw the 

 infuriated bull fall heavily on the ground within six 

 yards of me. In an instant I jumped to my feet, and 

 ran after Chippootoola for the spare gun, one barrel 

 of which was still charged. Taking a position with- 

 in fifteen yards of the fallen elephant, I commenced 

 reloading the old favourite, fearing the animal might 

 get up once more, and recommence his* game. But 

 the bull was stone dead, and never stirred again. 

 Ten minutes later I was sitting smoking a pipe in 

 triumph on his side — Chippootoola, frantic with de- 

 light, trying to persuade himself and his friends 

 that if it had not been for him the ^'jovo" would 

 have escaped. Moloka laughed at him, but said no- 

 thing. 



Having all feasted our eyes on this prize, whose 

 tusks of beautiful white ivory proved better than I 

 had anticipated, measuring three feet eleven inches 

 out, and twenty inches in circumference, we adjourned 

 to the river in quest of water. The men had scat- 

 tered about, and Moloka and I, having satiated our 

 thirst at a small pool, were smoking on the bank, and 

 wishing we had something to eat, when a series of 

 loud cries of '' Zacoonoo !" (come here) burst upon 

 our ears. Seizing a gun I hastened to the spot, and 

 found Chippootoola in great delight catching fish in 

 a small pool of water under the bank. This pool, 

 which scarcely covered four square feet of ground, 

 contained eleven fish of half a pound each, which were 

 soon roasting over a fire — a welcome surprise to 

 us. The best — nicely though roughly cooked — 



