316 THE ELEPHANT. 



Raising the rifle, therefore, to my shoulder, and 

 taking a deliberate aim at the creature's fore- 

 Lead, I pulled the trigger. The result was that, 

 though my life was probably saved, the game was 

 gone. With one of those terrific screams so pe- 

 culiar to the species, the monster wheeled round 

 with the rapidity of lightning, and the next iu- 

 starit was out of sight; and, though I followed 

 his trail closely for a long time, I failed in again 

 sighting him. 



I subsequently rejoined my waggon, both sick 

 and dispirited, yet resolved on another hunt before 

 the fever should resume its fatal sway over my 

 enervated frame; and thinking it probable that 

 elephants would wander our way during the night, 

 I directed Pereira,* my head-servant, to keep a 

 sharp look-out. 



* This poor man, who was exceedingly well educated, speaking 

 several languages, and who for a length of time was in the employ of 

 Mr. Anderson, recently met his death in a very sad way. Several 

 articles had been stolon from him by some Bushmen, whom lie suc- 

 ceeded in capturing at the " werl't" of their chief, and by the aid of 

 some Damaras was conveying to his waggon. Night, however, over- 

 took the party half way, and Pereira, therefore, resolved to wait 

 niitil morning before continuing his journey, lie was followed, un- 

 observed, by three Bushmen, friends of the captives, who shortly 

 before daybreak crept stealthily upon his place of bivouac, and bv 

 the light of the fire, alongside which he was sleeping, discharged 

 three poisoned arrows at him. The first entered the left breast; 

 lie started up and seized his rifle, and whilst, in the act of firing, 

 another entered his arm close below the shoulder, causing him to 

 drop his gun, and the next moment the third struck him in the 

 stomach ; but the latter alone did not penetrate. With the deadly 

 shafts still embedded in the flesh, poor 1'oreira discharged his rifle at 

 the murderers, who fled, and made th>'ir escape in the obscurity of 

 the early morn, lie then summoned the Uamaras to his assistance. 



