150 DEATH OF MABILI. 



that I should not surprise him, surprise being half the battle 

 with an elephant. Mabili had a single-barrelled heavy rifle 

 of mine, that threw a three-ounce bullet, while I was armed 

 with the gun I have with me now (a double-barrelled, 

 eight to the pound). We took advantage of every tree 

 and bush on the ground to conceal our approach, and we 

 arrived to within fifty yards apparently unnoticed. Just as 

 we were going to fire, the hitherto sleepy-looking brute 

 turned quickly round with ears extended, gave a tremen- 

 dously shrill trumpet, and charged straight at us. We both 

 fired at him, and both hit him ; but he never even shook 

 his head, and continued dashing along after us. I turned 

 and ran towards my horse, but had little hope of reaching 

 him, as the distance was great. I therefore dodged 

 sharp to the right, in the direction of a big tree that I 

 had noticed near. I did not know what had become of 

 Mabili, but, on looking round, saw that he had turned in 

 the opposite direction ; he was quite right to do this, as 

 it generally puzzles an elephant when those he may be 

 chasing separate. It seemed, however, as if the animal 

 had got its eye well on poor Mabili, as it turned after him, 

 and soon was close on him. I feared that there was no 

 chance for my poor Kaffir, but shouted as loud as I could 

 and fired, that I might take off the elephant's attention. 

 It was useless ; in the next instant he had caught Mabili 

 with his trunk, with which he seemed to press him to the 

 ground, dropping on his knees at the same time so as to 

 thrust his tusks into him. I thought I heard a faint shriek, 

 but, instantly getting on my horse, I galloped up to the 

 scene, and sent a couple of bullets into the savage monster. 



