1 76 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



after mine. This particular valley was a bit more 

 open, so with a desperate spurt I ranged alongside till 

 I could see the jaw-bone, and fired under the ear. 

 This shot brought him down on his head, but before I 

 could reload he was up again and, whether in confusion 

 or rage I know not, swung round towards me. I had 

 meanwhile got my wind a bit, and as I was not five 

 yards from him had not much difficulty in finding the 

 fatal spot this time, and my first elephant fell. Will, 

 who had had more time, had done even better, for he 

 had dropped his dead on the spot, and might have 

 shot another had anything good come his way, which 

 it did not. 



That night we tasted the hunter's delicacy, ele- 

 phant's trunk, but I can't say I think much of it. The 

 foot is also said to be good eating, but is rather an 

 expensive dish, as Rowland Ward was paying a guinea 

 apiece for them at this time. Not that we sold any of 

 ours, but they were in great demand for presents, 

 making as they do capital footstools, liqueur stands, 

 cigar cabinets, and other nicknacks. 



It was nearly dusk before these trophies reached 

 camp, for cutting them off is a weary job. The trackers 

 were thus prevented from preceding us as usual, and 

 next morning our night journey had brought us on 

 unexplored ground. We therefore sent the men off 

 towards the sea, while we took a turn inland. All we 

 saw, however, were some spotted deer, and were glad 

 to bag a buck, as meat was a bit short. When I awoke 

 from a nap about three o'clock the trackers had not 

 returned, and, Will being lazy, I took my 1 2-bore and 

 went out alone. 



