112 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chap. 



awe-inspiring. I had now an opportunity of observing these 

 two effects. The wind died away as I waited, hoping he 

 would move of his own accord so as to give me a chance to 

 shoot. I silently plucked a bit of grass ; the fragments floated 

 down with a tendency very near his direction. Sure enough 

 just after he got a whiff; for he suddenly moved forward three 

 or four yards across a little bare space ahead of him, wheeled 

 round and stood facing diagonally half towards me, his head up, 

 trunk raised and ears out, all on the alert, the opposite of his 

 previous sleepy attitude. I knew he would be off now, so 

 instantly aimed at his chest, in front of his left shoulder, which 

 was towards me, and pulled both triggers together. I had 

 made up my mind to try this the next chance I got at one 

 of these huge bulls, after failing to stop the one that morning. 

 The gun gave me a smart kick in the face, but the elephant 

 went oft' with very suggestive grunts and I felt I had given 

 him a good shot. Following his track, we found a good deal 

 of blood spattered about, and a very short way on one of my 

 Xdorobo lads (who had come up with my gun-bearers after 

 the shot) started to run for it, a sure sign he had caught sight 

 of our elephant. 



Advancing cautiously, I found him (the elephant) stand- 

 ing in a fairly open bit of straight path. His position 

 being just what it had been (as regards mej when I first 

 fired at him, I gave him another similar shot, though only 

 one barrel this time. He did not move, except to slue a 

 little more directly facing me. I was considering whether to 

 give him the left barrel in his eye, his head being a little 

 inclined to one side, and for that purpose took another step 

 forward, when — this movement of mine having no doubt 

 enabled him to make me out — he suddenly rushed at me. 

 As there were not more than ten yards between us and he 

 came straight for me at a quick run, there was no time for 

 hesitation. There was luckily a little opening to my right ; 

 into this I slipped, crouching to be less readily noticed. 



