222 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chap. 



lion. However, as it turned out, we might just as well have 

 spent the day in skinning lions, for we could find no traces of 

 elephants. 



There was here a beautiful stream of clear, cold water, 

 running strongly for some little distance after issuing from the 

 ravine before it disappeared in a little swamp in the flat, and 

 some pleasant grassy meadows bordered it. It struck me as 

 a pity such a suitable spot could not be utilised — say, for a 

 mission station, — with its adaptability for irrigation. Baithai 

 said that if elephants were anywhere in the neighbourhood they 

 would certainly resort to this stream to drink ; so, having 

 searched its banks in vain for any indication of their recent 

 visits, there was nothing for it but to turn back. I returned 

 then to the carcase of the giraffe, in hopes of finding the lions 

 there again, but they had not gone back to it nor could we find 

 them anywhere about. I then took a round through the more 

 open country to the eastward, in hopes of getting some fresh 

 meat, but missed a chance at zebra through the sight of my 

 Lee-Metford (which required careful adjustment, as it was 

 incorrectly regulated; having got wrong, and got back to 

 camp empty-handed and rather disgusted with this unlucky 

 day. 



I had a talk with Baithai about further plans, and it was 

 agreed that he was to send off two lads on the morrow to 

 prospect for elephants still farther on than we had yet been. 

 They were to return at once if they found spoor, but otherwise 

 would not be back till the day but one after. I sent Juma to- 

 El Bogoi, the morning after, to fetch some more supplies ready 

 for an expedition on to the mountains which I had in view, and 

 instructed him, should he find the caravan there (as I thought 

 very probable), to tell Abdulla (my headman; to come back 

 with him. I went out to try for meat, making for some open 

 country which could be seen out on the flats. But, while 

 passing through the broad belt of thick bush which separated 

 us from it, we cut the fresh spoor of two or three cow elephants,. 



