of the Old World. 257 



reposing, whilst several others were standing a short 

 distance off. 



I remained a few minutes to make sure that I was 

 well to leeward, and not in any immediate danger of 

 being discovered by their remarkably keen scent, and 

 then making signs to Googooloo to remain concealed, 

 I crept forward with my rifle, followed by Chineah, 

 carrying my other two big guns. 



After some very careful and exciting stalking I 

 reached a tree about thirty paces from the group, 

 which, unconscious of our approach, were still in the 

 same position, and taking a moment to draw breath, 

 and wipe my eyes from the perspiration which 

 streamed down my forehead, I crept under the cover 

 of some low bush to a clump of bamboos, within 

 pistol shot of the tusker ; which I had hardly reached 

 when I saw that I was discovered, for one of the 

 females sprang up suddenly with a strange wild cry, 

 and rushed a few paces forward, tail on end. The 

 bull also made a simultaneous movement, stretching 

 out his trunk with a grunt to catch the wind, and 

 giving me a fair shot not a second was to be lost 

 I threw up my rifle, took a deliberate and steady 

 aim at the hollow above the trunk (which is about 

 the size of a saucer) in the centre of his forehead, and 

 pulled the trigger; a heavy fall immediately followed, 

 but before the smoke had cleared away, and I could 

 see the result of my shot, the female rushed frantic- 



s 



