38 



AT NYEMPS 



and fired at the temples at a distance of about thirty paces with 

 the 677 Express rifle. He missed, the only effect being that 

 the elephant discovered his presence. Quickly he seized the 

 heavier weapon, cocked the left barrel, and fired again with 

 no better results, the charge exploding uselessly in the air. 

 The now enraged animal was close upon him, and he had 

 scarcely time to cock the other barrel, but this time the bullet 

 of hardened lead, as big as a walnut, did its duty, and the 

 elephant whirled round with the rapidity of lightning. A 

 second shot fortunately broke the bone of one of the hind legs, 

 for the Count was suffering from the recoil of his hasty sllot, 

 and had received a severe blow in the side which pained him 

 so much that he was unable to follow the other animals quickly 

 enough. He got pretty close to two of them once, but they 

 made off in time ; one following the rest of the herd, whilst the 

 other turned back to his wounded comrade. The Count there- 

 fore went in the same direction, arriving by the two just as the 

 one he had shot rolled over on its side and died. The 

 uninjured one then attempted to pass the Count and rejoin the 

 others, but a shot from the 577 Express brought him down, so 

 that there were now three elephants in a group on the ground. 

 The defaulting double-barrelled 8-bore rifle was examined 

 in camp, when it was found that the left barrel was bent, and 

 could not be properly cocked. 



Three days later another herd of elephants approached our 

 camp, this time consisting of four females and two sprightly 

 little ones no bigger than a well-grown sow. Again it was our 

 herd who warned us of their approach, rushing into camp with 

 the news, and leaving his cattle to shift for themselves. It was 

 impossible to say whether the elephants were chasing them, or 

 merely making their way, as before, to the ford. Anyhow it 

 was wonderfully interesting to watch the group of mothers 

 and children when suddenly perceiving our camp ; the former 



