i 



46 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chap. 



the spot (temple shot). This last had rather nice teeth for 

 " kalasha " (cow ivory). 



After cutting off her tail we again followed the track of 

 the herd, which had now entered their favourite cover. This 

 patch of forest consists of groves of very large " fever " trees 

 and other kinds (some of great size), with an undergrowth of 

 dense leafy jungle, in parts very tall and thick but shorter in 

 others, and with some more or less open spaces. The spoor 

 led through some of the densest, darkest parts ; some places 

 were very bad, so that one could not see above a yard or two 

 and could only get through by struggling, stooping, and even 

 creeping along the track, the bushes closing in after the 

 elephants had passed. I wondered they did not stop there, 

 but felt glad they had not. It was a long time before we got 

 up to any again. They had separated and rushed about the 

 bush in different directions, making the spoor confusing and 

 troublesome to follow sometimes. At last, however, we got 

 sight of some again ; but before I could get a fair chance 

 they started off and I only got a snap shot at one, which, 

 though it staggered, went on ; but just ahead I got another 

 temple shot at a young bull, which I was lucky enough to kill 

 on the spot. As it seemed not quite dead I gave it another 

 bullet in the head, though I think it was unnecessary ; it is 

 better though to make sure if there is the least doubt. 



It was afternoon by this time ; but we followed again as the 

 elephants stuck to the forest (which was not of great extent). 

 They were scattered in small lots of a few together and kept 

 moving about and then standing and listening until disturbed 

 again. At last, when I was thinking of giving it up and we were 

 close to the outside of the jungle, we heard the solemn rumbling 

 made by an elephant's inside ; and just after I caught sight of 

 one's forehead between two large bushy shrubs. I advanced, 

 trying to get a view of the temple, to within a dozen yards or 

 a little more ; but, though I could not see enough of her, she 

 had her eye to the opening and could see me, for she suddenly 



