120 ALONG LAKE RUDOLF 



After shooting the rhinoceros, whilst the meat was divided, 

 the Count went on to rest beneath the shade of some trees 

 by the dried-up bed of a brook about twenty minutes further 

 on. He was just going to sit down when he saw a sohtary 

 elephant bull, which had also chosen this spot for a siesta, 

 standing, all unconscious of danger, in a most favourable 

 position for a shot. Count Teleki had only his 500 Express 

 with him — too weak a weapon for such big game, but the 

 temptation was, however, too strong, and he determined to 

 open fire with it, hoping that he might wound the elephant 

 and keep him stationary long enough for the men to bring up 

 the more deadly guns, which had all been left near the 

 rhinoceros. But one shot at the temples and another at one 

 of the feet were both without effect, and, disturbed in his rest, 

 the elephant at once advanced upon the Count, swerving aside 

 at a distance of some fifteen paces. Meanwhile Count Teleki 

 had reloaded, and he followed his quarry, giving him two balls 

 in the shoulder. The elephant dashed away for a short distance 

 through the bush and then fell down quite dead. This was 

 a very unexpected result to have achieved with so light a 

 weapon, for the victim was a strong bull with tusks which, 

 though they were broken, weighed over 40 lb. To com- 

 plete our delight we found, after man}^ hours' search, a little 

 water, at a depth of about six feet, in the uj)per course of the 

 dried~up stream, and therefore decided to camp by it. The 

 number of those who would eat elephant-meat was now con- 

 siderably increased, and a very few hours later there was 

 nothing left but the skin and bones of the huge beast, whilst 

 cooking and eating went on day and night. 



Sunday, March 18. — In the hope of reaching the ponds 

 which, according to Lembasso's calculations, we ought to have 

 found the day before, we started very early, marching due 

 north by good sandy paths, keeping close on our left the long 



