In Wildest Africa ^ 



and shorn them of their twigs and branches ; and there, 

 with their trunks and tusks, they have torn the bark off 

 larger trees in long strips or wider slices and consumed 

 them. I observe, too, that they have torn the long sword- 

 shaped hemp-stalks out of the ground, and after chewing 

 them have dropped the fibres gleaming white where 

 they lie in the sun. The sap in this plant is clearly 

 food as well as drink to them. I see, too, that at certain 

 points the elephants have gathered together for a while 

 under an acacia tree, and have broken and devoured all 

 its lower branches and twigs. At other places it is clear 

 that they have made a longer halt, from the way in which 

 the vegetation all around has been reduced to nothing. 

 We go on and on, the mighty footsteps keeping us absorbed 

 and excited. We know that the chances are all against 

 our overtaking the elephants, but the pleasures of the chase 

 are enough to keep up our zest. At any moment, perhaps, 

 we may come up with our gigantic fugitives. Perhaps ! 



How different is the elephant's case in Africa from 

 what it is in India and Ceylon! In India it is almost 

 a sacred animal ; in Ceylon it is carefully guarded, and 

 there is no uncertainty as to the way in which it will 

 be killed. Here in Africa, however, its lot is to be the 

 most sought-after big game on the face of the earth ; but 

 the hunter has to remember that he may be " hoist with his 

 own petard," for the elephant is ready for the fray and 

 knows what awaits him. With these thoughts in my mind 

 and the way clearer at every step, the Wandorobo move 

 on and on unceasingly in front. 



It is astonishing what a small supply of arms and 



384 



