TRACES OF THE ELEPHANTS. 81 



narrow bush-path, that led to the top of the Berea. On 

 the way, my friend told me how he had become 

 acquainted with the position of the herd we purposed 

 encountering. 



His Kaffirs had discovered the traces on the road to 

 Pietermaritzberg, which they had crossed during the night. 

 He himself had examined the road leading to the flagstaff 

 at the top of the Berea, and found that they had not 

 passed this ; so he knew that they must be between the 

 two roads mentioned. He therefore concluded that we 

 should find them about half-way between the two, and 

 near a large umbrella-looking tree, which plainly showed 

 itself from all parts of the surrounding country. 



Unfortunately, as both our guns were of small calibre, 

 being fourteen-bore only, I was recommended to put in 

 two tops of powder, instead of the usual charge of one, 

 and also to use my friend's bullets, as they had been 

 prepared with one-eighth of tin, to harden the balls, and 

 prevent them from flattening against a bone. 



The Berea in this part was about two miles broad, and 

 was very thick, with plenty of underwood in most parts. 



On reaching the top of the woody hill, we found an 

 open space of some twenty yards in diameter, where we 

 dismounted, and left our horses, taking care to fasten 

 them to a tree by the head-stalls, which are generally 

 allowed to remain on the head, either for the purpose 

 of fastening up a horse, or for knee-haltering him. 



M (my friend) showed me the fresh indications 



of the elephants. The grass was trodden down in every 

 direction, and in some places it was torn up, as though a 



