248 After Big Game in Central Africa 



males, some females, and two or three small elephants 

 of various sizes. After my catching a glimpse of them 

 as they proceeded along, that is, in single file, they 

 spread out into a line to feed. The large male, which 

 had just before led the column, was now almost in the 

 centre, the old tuskless female, who never left him, 

 being at his side. As they slowly advanced, we ran 

 parallel to them. At a certain moment the large 

 male was on the right wing. ... I took up a position 

 behind an ant-hill, ten yards from which they had to 

 pass. The wind was favourable, and the elephants 

 were unsuspicious. Seeing that it was impossible to 

 fire at the male, I decided, first of all, to shoot the old 

 tuskless female, and to fire the second shot at her son. 

 It was a risky business, because, the elephants having 

 slightly deviated towards me, they were barely eight 

 yards away when they were on a level with me, and, 

 if 'I had been charged, I should have had no time to 

 escape. I got ready my men, and ordered them to 

 fire if the dangerous animal turned to charge us. 

 After that, we should see. . . . 



As the female advances, still protecting her son 

 with her immense body, I take careful aim with my 

 Express No. 1 at a spot between the eye and the ear. 

 Msiambiri holds the 8 -bore ready for me to use 

 immediately afterwards. The shot is fired, and the 

 animal, her legs giving way under her all at the same 

 time, falls with a thud to the ground. In so doing 

 she uncovers her companion who, five seconds 

 later, receives a bullet from the 8-bore in the 

 heart. Owing to the echo, the elephants are puzzled 



