8o LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



Soon again the elephants were heard, and this time the 

 body of one could be discerned in the close covert they 

 had entered about forty yards off. At the same moment 

 Vivian and his man were also seen, but a hardened ball 

 from a No. 10 smooth-bore of Messrs Moore and Gray, 

 hitting the only one of the herd visible in the right 

 high, stopped him in his attempt to follow his friends, 

 as, crashing through the trees, they made a general stam- 

 pede. A second bullet in the shoulder made him turn 

 round, when, seeing the enemy, he assumed the offensive 

 and came on boldly with trunk high in air, until within 

 fifteen yards of them. Now a third bullet, penetrating 

 the front of his chest, made him come to a halt, and then, 

 after swaying his huge frame to and fro for a few seconds, 

 he fell heavily to the ground. Upon this they crept 

 behind him, and, finding that he was still breathing, re- 

 mained quiet until respiration ceased ; then creeping a 

 little nearer, the eyelids could be seen to move occasion- 

 ally ; but soon all was over, and Vivian had become the 

 proud possessor of our first elephant. Great rejoicings 

 in camp on hearing the good news, and it certainly was 

 a singular piece of luck to shoot a full-grown tusker the 

 first day, and promises well for the future. 



Jan. 24. Last night Essafi took me near to an 

 elephant-path, hoping that some might pass on their way 

 from the river ; but after waiting quietly for an hour or 

 more, he shook his head, said ' mafeesh ' (nothing), and 



