284 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



were after the elephants so was he ; and if his fore legs 

 only kept him up, there was very little doubt that soon 

 I would be afforded an occasion to use my gun. 



A big tusker, of course, I wanted, but such I could 

 not see ; so, to rectify the deficiency, singled out the 

 largest animal in the herd, and made a dash to get 

 alongside of it. In this I was successful, for the old 

 nag knew his work like a book, and required no forcing. 

 Holding the gun at arm's length I fired. The heavy 

 charge nearly sprung it out of my hands ; but the 

 elephant staggered, recovered itself, staggered again, 

 and then came to a dead stop. 



With the report of the gun the veteran charger had 

 sheered off to the left, expecting pursuit, and not getting 

 it he easily pulled up, so I turned him round again so 

 as to renew the contest. 



The poor stricken beast was evidently very sick 

 blood flowed from its mouth and trunk. It seemed 

 desirous of charging, but was without the power to do 

 it ; so I jumped off my horse, went within fifteen yards, 

 and fired at the space between the ear and eye. 

 With a crush the poor thing fell, struggled violently to 

 regain its feet, rolled over upon its side, and yielded up 

 life. It was a cow in the prime of life, but its tusks 

 did not exceed eight or nine pounds in weight. 



I now became cognisant that a heavy fusilade was 

 going on to my left ; I, in consequence, rode in that 

 direction, when I overtook a Boer having quite a lively 

 time with a wounded one she charged so persistently 

 and fiercely that he was as often the pursued as pursuer ; 

 so I left my horse, watched 'my chance, and, while 

 she was turning round to keep her front to her 

 first antagonist, put two bullets in her side, a foot or 



