An African Shooting Trip 



our rifles, with nothing on but pyjamas and 

 sandals, started toward the noise, as it was too 

 dark to see more than a few feet ahead. 



We were very close, when I was caught up 

 on some thorns, and, fortunately, as it proved, 

 for we were now within a few feet of the 

 animal, which, though invisible, was making 

 far too much commotion for a leopard. Acci- 

 dentally looking on the ground, I saw by the 

 light of a lantern, carried by the sentry, 

 plenty of fresh elephant tracks, and we will- 

 ingly gave up the pursuit. Had we walked 

 into the middle of the herd, instead of bring- 

 ing up the rear, it might not have been 

 amusing. 



The next morning natives reported a herd 

 of elephants about one hour away. Pretty 

 well satisfied with what elephant trophies we 

 had, I determined to get some photographs of 

 living elephants. We managed to get very 

 close to the herd, but the thick undergrowth 

 prevented a satisfactory use of the camera, 

 and the results were poor. I was sure they 

 could hear the click of the ratchet as I turned 

 the film roll ; and soon, catching our wind, 

 the herd moved off to an open, elevated piece 

 of ground near at hand. 



103 



