THE EOYAL ELEPHANT HUNT AT THE KNYSNA. 193 



the information that the old bull elephant, which 

 the Duke was desirous of shooting, had left that 

 quarter only the night before. They had that morning 

 traced him from his usual haunts into the great forest, 

 so there was nothing for it but to rightabout face, and, 

 with left shoulders forward, we abandoned the road 

 we had come and dashed across the country. In less 

 than an hour we came again on the new road at the 

 entrance to the forest, where, as soon as the waggons 

 arrived, we camped near a pretty stream and had 

 breakfast. At this place we remained about an hour, 

 and then proceeded for ten miles, with the forest 

 bordering the road all the way on either hand, 

 Forest, forest, far as the eye could reach, nothing 

 but forest. It was really a fine ride, and afforded very 

 great enjoyment to all the party not accustomed to 

 such scenery. Then we arrived at the former convict 

 station, called Yzen Nek, where there is now a road- 

 side hotel, at which we halted and got some forage 

 for our horses. After a considerable delay we started 

 again, leaving the forest behind us, only patches of it 

 being seen in the ravines here and there as we rode 

 along. It is about four miles from Yzen Nek "to 

 Buffel's Nek, which is a very elevated site, and from 

 which there is a splendid view of mountain scenery. 

 Arrived at Buffel's Nek and the waggons having come 

 up, the camp was pitched, and " all went merry as a 



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