46 
ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA 
CHAP. 
the spot (temple shot). This last had rather nice teeth for 
“ kalasha ” (cow ivory). 
After cutting off her tail we again followed the track of 
the herd, which had now entered their favourite cover. This 
patch of forest consists of groves of very large “ fever ” trees 
and other kinds (some of great size), with an undergrowth of 
dense leafy jungle, in parts very tall and thick but shorter in 
others, and with some more or less open spaces. The spoor 
led through some of the densest, darkest parts ; some places 
were very bad, so that one could not see above a yard or two 
and could only get through by struggling, stooping, and even 
creeping along the track, the bushes closing in after the 
elephants had passed. I wondered they did not stop there, 
but felt glad they had not. It was a long time before we got 
up to any again. They had separated and rushed about the 
bush in different directions, making the spoor confusing and 
troublesome to follow sometimes. At last, however, we got 
sight of some again ; but before I could get a fair chance 
they started off and I only got a snap shot at one, which, 
though it staggered, went on ; but just ahead I got another 
temple shot at a young bull, which I was lucky enough to kill 
on the spot. As it seemed not quite dead I gave it another 
bullet in the head, though I think it was unnecessary ; it is 
better though to make sure if there is the least doubt. 
It was afternoon by this time ; but we followed again as the 
elephants stuck to the forest (which was not of great extent). 
They were scattered in small lots of a few together and kept 
moving about and then standing and listening until disturbed 
again. At last, when I was thinking of giving it up and we were 
close to the outside of the jungle, we heard the solemn rumbling 
made by an elephant’s inside ; and just after I caught sight of 
one’s forehead between two large bushy shrubs. I advanced, 
trying to get a view of the temple, to within a dozen yards or 
a little more ; but, though I could not see enough of her, she 
had her eye to the opening and could see me, for she suddenly 
