x UPS AND DOWNS IN THE MBWEHU BUSH 107 



wits, dropped the heavy rifle he was carrying and 

 rushed back full tilt towards the cover from which 

 he had just emerged. Fortunately, my tracker had 

 discarded my weapon before entering the reeds, and 

 running and picking it up, I joined the chase hoping 

 to get a shot at the beast before he had time to 



THE THIRD ELEPHANT 



overtake my man. Ntawasie, in his race for dear 

 life, sped swiftly down one path, doubled back on 

 another and once more emerged into open country, 

 but the ruse, decidedly clever though it was, failed 

 to deceive the keen-scented animal, who, quickly 

 picking up the spoor, also dashed out of the reeds 

 only a few seconds afterwards. My tracker, seeing 

 the brute still in pursuit and feeling that his fate was 



