MARCH TO THE KRAAL OF SICOMY. 271 



after-riders and my dogs. But, alas ! I had allowed the 

 golden opportunity to slip. This day I sought in vain ; 

 and although I often again ascended to the summit of 

 my favorite hillock on that and on the succeeding year, 

 my eyes were destined never again to hail from it a 

 troop of elephants. 



Early on the following morning I proceeded to in- 

 spect the sandy foot-paths leading from the fountain, 

 and at once discovered the spoor of two mighty bull el- 

 ephants that had drunk there during the night. These 

 I followed, but did not succeed in coming up with the 

 objects of my search. 



We were now within two days' march of the kraal 

 of the great chief Sicomy, king of the extensive terri- 

 tory of Bamangwato. This chief was reported to be 

 in the possession of large quantities of ivory ; and as I 

 had brought a number of muskets and other articles 

 for barter, I was anxious to push on and first get over 

 my trading before resum^ing elephant hunting, more 

 especially since it was not improbable that, having 

 once led the way, other adventurers might follow in my 

 track, and perhaps spoil my market. Taking this into 

 consideration, I deemed it proper, on the morning of 

 the 30th, to march upon the kraal of Sicomy ; and, ac- 

 cordingly, about 10 A.M. we inspanned, and held for 

 the Bamangwato mountains, whose summits we could 

 see peering above the intervening forest in an easterly 

 direction. On our march we passed near to the car- 

 cass of the elephant whi^ I had slain threie days be- 

 fore. The number of vultures which were here con- 

 gregated was truly wonderful. My guides had baked 

 a part of the trunk and two of the feet of the elephant, 

 and these they now brought to the wagons.* 



* It was ever to me a source of great pleasare to reflect that, while 



