CHAPTER V. 
Crowd of threatening natives — Across the waterless desert — We lose the 
road — A race against death — Saved in the nick of time — We run 
short of provisions — Lesser koodoo. 
Next morning we reached El Dara again, where, it will be 
remembered, I looked for elephants a fortnight before. Now 
some of the thorn-bushes were beginning to show a little 
green. Spring was appearing again, the wretched winter, 
with its scorching heat, being now at an end. On nearing 
the deep well, I perceived upwards of a hundred and fifty 
vulturine guinea-foAvl together ; but they would not allow of 
my near approach, and the vA^hole army flew up together. A 
grand sight, reminding me of an enormous ‘ bouquet ’ of 
pheasants ! I then marched to Kadea, passing elephant spoor 
two days old. Here I camped to await news of two of my 
men who had gone to Gaboon, further west, in search of my 
looted pony. The Avhole of the day I waited for them to 
return, sending out men in every direction to look for 
elephants. The bees were more troublesome than ever, and 
at night the men came back saying they had seen no real 
fresh elephant tracks. 
0 elephants, you are unkind, 
AVhen I haAX so made up my mind 
That if hut one of you I shoot, 
No more Idl hunt you, monstrous brute ! 
No more I’ll follow on your track. 
Expecting soon to see your back ; 
No hand of mine shall hunt you more : 
In peace I’ll leave you on this shore. 
So run, you little elephant. 
And go and tell your pa. 
