184 



ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



trunks, and, snuffing the tainted gale, crashed past me 

 down the wind at top speed. 



Now came the tug of war. I had no child's play be- 

 fore me : alone and unassisted, and on a very jaded steed, 

 I had resolved to endeavor what no two of my men 

 had ever accomplished for me. I had not only to stick 

 by the elephant wherever he chose to go, which was all 

 I required of my people when endeavoring to assist mo 

 in my hunting, but I must also drive him back and 

 keep him by the fountain, or else all my exertions would 

 be fruitless. 



I had very slight hope of success ; but he was well 

 worthy of a tough struggle, and I determined that he 

 should have it. I thought what my feelings would be 

 that night by my fireside if I let him escape, and, on 

 the other hand, how highly I should prize his noble tro- 

 phies if I succeeded. I at once dashed after him and 

 separated him from his comrade. When he found that 

 I had the speed of him, he turned at once upon me and 

 charged furiously back toward the fountain, after which 

 he tried to conceal himself among the trees, and, hav- 

 ing stood motionless for some time with his head to- 

 ward me, crashed away through the forest to the south- 

 ward. I soon headed him again, yelling with all my 

 might. Of course another charge followed : I eventu- 

 ally managed, however, to drive him back close to the 

 fountain ; stiU, no assistance hove in sight. My after- 

 rider, though he had- been there before, had missed the 

 fountain. It was he and the natives with him who had 

 started the elephants : they had crossed the fountain to 

 windward, and were wandering about with my gun and 

 dogs some miles beyond me. 



It were long to describe all the turns and twists I had 

 with this princely old bull. I certainly did my duty, 



