I50 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chap. 



or night, unless I left her tied in camp while I went hunting. 

 She had the greatest confidence in me, and we never fell out. 

 Faithful, lovable little dog ! I don't think I could have felt the 

 loss of a human companion more. I felt at least that her life 

 with me had been a happy one. I buried her with my own 

 hands by moonlight ; and as I laid her in her little grave I 

 almost wished I could rest beside her in the quiet bush by the 

 roaring, cool river. A sad, sad day. 



Thinking it best to go out and take my thoughts away from 

 my great loss, I was up again at 4 A.M. next morning, and off 

 as soon as it was light enough to see. We found the spoor of 

 a troop of cows, that had drunk not so far away as that of 

 yesterday, but it led us a long, long tedious chase, and it was 

 afternoon before we were able to hear the elephants. They had 

 crossed and recrossed a dry gully, and we had some difficulty 

 in keeping to their true course. However, at last we got on 

 terms with them, and I sneaked right up to within nice range, 

 but could not see to get a shot at either of the two small cows, 

 which were the only ones visible. One, the nearest, was facing 

 me — it had poor teeth ; the other was behind and broadside 

 on, but I could only see a bit of her, and was waiting, trying 

 to make her out, when suddenly the one next me gave a shrill 

 trumpet (having evidently got my wind), and they instantly both 

 wheeled round and disappeared. I fired a snap-shot, but with 

 no apparent result ; and, as we could find no blood, and as the 

 elephants here — owing to the proximity of the Wakamba, who 

 are constantly harrying them — when once disturbed go right 

 away, it was useless following them so late in the day. Another 

 disappointment ; through the treacherous breeze, to-day. We 

 did not get back to camp till long after dark, having sat down 

 only once, for about a quarter of an hour, the whole day. On 

 the way back, after having struck the river again and while 

 following along its bank, we came upon some hippos, which 

 were very close to the shore ; and one, which had a small calf, 

 charged towards me twice, in shallow water. But I would not 



