304 THE ELEPHANT. 



they all sling their well-stocked quivers across the 

 shoulder, snatch up bow and javelin, and take 

 the field. 



Everything having been properly arranged on the 

 preceding evening, the sportsman's own prepara- 

 tions are soon completed; and after partaking of 

 some solid food, and a cup or two of strong coffee, 

 he quickly follows in the wake of the natives. 



At first there is often delay and difficulty in 

 hitting on the right spoor caused by the elephants 

 and other large game frequently wandering about a 

 good deal, either before visiting the water or after 

 quenching their thirst ; but this difficulty overcome, 

 off start the " trackers,"* with the whole hunt at 

 their heels, at an astonishing pace at times, in 

 short, amounting to a run. This rapid pace is kept 

 up as long as the atmosphere is moderately cool ; 

 but as the heat increases, the eagerness of the 

 " trackers " gradually diminishes, and you pursue 

 your way slowly and mechanically. Occasionally, 

 however, a false alarm of the presence of the elephants 

 causes a slight relief to the monotony of the pro- 

 ceedings. Here and there the animals have diverged 

 from their path to browse, but they again proceed. 



* A singular custom (one said to be universally adopted by them 

 when " spooring" game) exists amongst the Bechuanas, viz., that when 

 a number of these men are in search of the elephant, or other beast, 

 the individual who first hits off the right track forthwith loudly 

 smacks his nether-end with his hand as a signal to his companions 

 of his success ; and when they aro afterwards traversing in a line the 

 mazes of the forest, each one warns the one behind him of any rough 

 sticks, stones, or thorns which lie -across the path by the same elegant 

 and friendly gesture. 



