^ After Elephants with Wandorobo 



After a long and fatiguing march in the heat of the sun, 

 we encamp in the evening at one of the watering-places. 

 To-day, to my surprise, there is quite a large supply of 

 water, owing to rain last night. The elephants, with their 

 unfailing instinct, have discovered the precious liquid. They 

 have not merely drunk in the pool, but have also enjoyed a 

 bath ; their tracks and the colour and condition of the 

 water show that clearly. Therefore we do not pitch our 

 camp near the pool, but out in the velt at some distance 

 away, so as not to interfere with the elephants in case they 

 should be moved to return to the water. 



But the wily beasts do not come a second time, and we 

 are obliged to await morning to follow their tracks in 

 the hope of luck. The Wandorobo on ahead, I and two 

 of my men following, make up the small caravan, while 

 some of my other followers remain behind at the watering- 

 place in a rough camp. I have provided myself with all 

 essentials for two or three days, including a supply of 

 water contained in double-lined water-tight sacks. For 

 hour after hour we follow the tracks clearly defined upon 

 the still damp surface of the velt. Presently they lead us 

 through endless stretches of shrubs and acacia bushes and 

 bow-string hemp, then through the dried-up beds of rain- 

 pools now sprouting here and there with luxuriant vege- 

 tation. Then again we come to stretches of scorched grass, 

 featureless save for the footsteps of the elephants. As we 

 advance I am enabled to note how the animals feed them- 

 selves in this desert-like region, from which they never 

 wander any great distance. Here, stamping with their 

 mighty feet, they have smashed some young tree-trunks 

 VOL. II 383 25 



