286 The Hunting Grounds 



and knees, and, after a few minutes' intensely exciting 

 stalking, managed to ensconce myself behind a low 

 ledge of rock, from whence I could observe every 

 motion he made. 



He was standing on three legs, the off hind-foot 

 being raised from the ground, and leaning carelessly 

 against the other, whilst the fore-part of his body was 

 swinging to and fro. Although he was not more 

 than twenty paces distant, I could not get a fair shot, 

 as his head was turned directly away from me. I 

 waited nearly ten minutes for a chance of his altering 

 his position, during which I had ample time to ad- 

 mire his stately proportions and magnificent tusks, 

 but he never moved an inch. I could not get round 

 in front of him on account of the wind, and as I did 

 not like to risk the chance of losing so fine a fellow 

 by an uncertain shot that might not prove mortal, 

 after a few seconds' deliberation I determined to try 

 another plan, which, as I had not a spare gun, was 

 attended with considerable danger. 



I examined the ground carefully, so as to be pre- 

 pared in case I had to make a run of it, and then 

 taking off my leathern gaiters and extraneous cloth- 

 ing, so as to have my limbs as free as possible, noise- 

 lessly crept on my hands and knees behind him, and 

 placing the muzzle of my gun almost close to the 

 centre of the hind-foot which was raised, I pulled 

 both triggers almost simultaneously and sprang out 



