SO BUSH-TRAVELLING. 



that came into the Natal bush were of this latter dispo- 

 sition; they were frequently disturbed, and sometimes 

 fired at, but without any great result, as the density of 

 the cover rendered it almost impossible to get more 

 than one shot; and a single bullet rarely carries imme- 

 diate death. 



The bush for many miles up the Natal coast was 

 impenetrable,, except by the paths that the elephants had 

 made; and in which they had stalked to and from water, 

 and from place to place, in Indian file. It was difficult for 

 a man, when moving along these paths, to see many yards 

 on either side, the underwood, briers, and parasitical plants, 

 being matted together like a hedge. In many, parts one 

 has to force himself through places where he cannot see a 

 yard around him. Here he must trust to hearing, and 

 almost to scent, or he will not long be left to enjoy the 

 excitement of the sport, which, when once indulged in, pro- 

 duces a bush-fever that leaves as lasting an impression as 

 the similar disease caught on the prairies of the Far West. 

 Patience, caution, keen senses, and experience, are the 

 requisites for this work; and unless a hunter possesses 

 the whole of these qualities, he will give but a sorry account 

 of the fun to be had in the bush ; the general cry being 

 " that no game is to be seen there." 



I soon joined my friend, who, although a thorough 

 good sportsman, and a slayer of nearly all the large game 

 of Africa, was still not quite up to the precautions neces- 

 sary in thick bush-work, I at the time being grossly 

 ignorant of everything connected with it. 



We cantered over the Natal flat, and entered a small, 



