STILL HUNTING AT THE FOUNTAIN 143 



five or six low muffled sounds, resembling distant thunder. 

 Soon afterwards the feeling of awe which these dreadful 

 sounds had excited, gave way before the desire to prove 

 my superiority over the grim lords of strength, and I de- 

 termined to make the effort the next night, cost what it 

 might. 



The next day, we occupied ourselves in completing a 

 hole of concealment for the still-hunting at the fountain. 

 We dug it among the low bushes on the side farthest from 

 the camp making it about four feet in diameter and 

 three in depth. Between the hole and the edge of the 

 fountain the bushes were thinned, so that we could have 

 plenty of room for aiming, and yet not be seen, from the 

 other side, by the game. By noon, the work was finished, 

 and, after dinner, the Hottentots were ordered to take 

 blankets, and some provisions to the hole, for our comfort 

 while waiting, during the chill nights, for game. 



That night the moon rose early, and as we had refreshed 

 ourselves with a doze and a hearty meal, we took our sta- 

 tions soon after nightfall and stood prepared to administer 

 a dose of death to any animal that chose to visit the foun- 

 tain. And there we waited with statue-like patience for 

 some hours before we could discern the approach of any 

 wild animals. Suddenly, the heavy tread of elephants 

 was heard, and ears and eyes were instantly on the strain. 

 Moving majestically, and, with a sweeping pace, casting 



