150 
ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA 
CHAP. 
or night, unless I left her tied in camp while I went hunting. 
She had the greatest confidence in me, and we never fell out. 
Faithful, lovable little dog! I don’t think I could have felt the 
loss of a human companion more. I felt at least that her life 
with me had been a happy one. I buried her with my own 
hands by moonlight; and as I laid her in her little grave I 
almost wished I could rest beside her in the quiet bush by the 
roaring, cool river. A sad, sad day. 
Thinking it best to go out and take my thoughts away from 
my great loss, I was up again at 4 A.M. next morning, and off 
as soon as it was light enough to see. We found the spoor of 
a troop of cows, that had drunk not so far away as that of 
yesterday, but it led us a long, long tedious chase, and it was 
afternoon before we were able to hear the elephants. They had 
crossed and recrossed a dry gully, and we had some difficulty 
in keeping to their true course. However, at last we got on 
terms with them, and I sneaked right up to within nice range, 
but could not see to get a shot at either of the two small cows, 
which were the only ones visible. One, the nearest, was facing 
me—it had poor teeth ; the other was behind and broadside 
on, but I could only see a bit of her, and was waiting, trying 
to make her out, when suddenly the one next me gave a shrill 
trumpet (having evidently got my wind), and they instantly both 
wheeled round and disappeared. I fired a snap-shot, but with 
no apparent result; and, as we could find no blood, and as the 
elephants here—owing to the proximity of the Wakamba, who 
are constantly harrying them—when once disturbed go right 
away, it was useless following them so late in the day. Another 
disappointment; through the treacherous breeze, to-day. We 
did not get back to camp till long after dark, having sat down 
only once, for about a quarter of an hour, the whole day. On 
the way back, after having struck the river again and while 
following along its bank, we came upon some hippos, which 
were very close to the shore; and one, which had a small calf, 
charged towards me twice, in shallow water. But I would not 
