326 
ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA 
CHAP. 
happening some day. In fact, if one only keeps on at it long 
enough, sooner or later he is bound to be caught. For in 
hunting elephants in the dense cover in which, for the most 
part, they have to be sought in Equatorial Africa, any little 
hitch or mischance at a critical moment, such as tripping up, 
or a difficulty with one’s gun similar to what occurred in my 
case, is sufficient to turn the scale against one’s chance of 
escape; and, once caught, the odds are overwhelming that the 
hunter upon whom the tables have been turned will not live 
to tell the tale. Just retribution, perhaps you will say ; and, 
for my part, I harboured no ill-will against the elephant for 
avenging its kith and kin. It was the fortune of war. 
The next day I sent word to Abdulla to come with more 
men to carry me back to Kere, that I might be laid up in my 
own camp. They arrived the morning after, and made a 
stretcher under my directions ; and early on the third I was 
carried back half-way. At this halting-place I caught a severe 
chill, through lying naked on wet sheets all night. I made 
my men pour water over my wounds to cool them, and no one 
had the sense to see that I should suffer from this treatment, 
while I was too weak to take much notice. The result was 
severe fever, which added greatly to my sufferings. But details 
of these would not make edifying reading. My men carried 
me with the greatest care and gentleness back to Kere, and 
the journey was less painful than I had expected. I thought 
it well to give Abdulla a short letter to take back to the coast 
in case I should not recover, explaining what had happened, 
and testifying to their good behaviour. One and all vied with 
each other in doing everything in their power for me ; they 
gave me no trouble, and their behaviour was in every respect 
most praiseworthy, while their solicitude for me earned my 
sincere gratitude. 
Though my men’s exemplary conduct gave me no cause 
for disquiet, I felt considerable anxiety during this long period 
of helplessness and pain. My camp at Kere was, as I have 
