192 THE ELEPHANT. 



Bay, and steamed down the coast, arriving off the 

 Knysna Heads on Monday morning. As the Racoon 

 draws too much water to permit her to cross the bar, 

 the Duke and his companions transhipped themselves 

 to the Petrel, which entered the river at noon. That 

 morning great numbers had come in from the country, 

 so that the place was crowded with people. About 

 one o'clock the Duke landed, and was received on the 

 jetty by the authorities. He then mounted a horse, 

 and with a large escort, amid cheering and firing of 

 guns, rode into the village, which was handsomely 

 decorated with flags and arches. At one of these the 

 usual loyal address was presented, and then the Duke 

 and his companions retired to the house that had 

 been prepared for their accommodation. That night 

 the village was illuminated, and bonfires blazed on the 

 surrounding hills, for the people of the Knysna felt 

 proud and honoured by the Duke's visit, and did 

 everything in their power to give him a suitable 

 reception. 



The next morning, Tuesday the 10th of September, 

 was very fine at the Knysna, and shortly after sun- 

 rise a goodly cavalcade of some forty horsemen, with 

 His Koyal Highness at their head, and attended by 

 seven bullock-waggons, started for elephant shooting 

 at Middle Erf, which is about a good hour's ride from 

 the village. There one of the scouts met us with 



