304 
THE ELEPHANT. 
they all sling their well-stocked quivers across the 
shoulder, snatch up bow and javelin, and take 
the field. 
Everything having been properly arranged on the 
preceding evening, the sportsman’s own prepara¬ 
tions are soon completed; and after partaking of 
some solid food, and a cup or two of strong coffee, 
he quickly follows in the wake of the natives. 
At first there is often delay and difficulty in 
hitting on the right spoor caused by the elephants 
and other large game frequently wandering about a 
good deal, either before visiting the water or after 
quenching their thirst; but this difficulty overcome, 
off start the “ trackers,”* with the whole hunt at 
their heels, at an astonishing pace—at times, in 
short, amounting to a run. This rapid pace is kept 
up as long as the atmosphere is moderately cool; 
but as the heat increases, the eagerness of the 
“ trackers ” gradually diminishes, and you pursue 
your way slowly and mechanically. Occasionally, 
however, a false alarm of the presence of the elephants 
causes a slight relief to the monotony of the pro¬ 
ceedings. Here and there the animals have diverged 
from their path to browse, but they again proceed. 
* A singular custom (one said to be universally adopted by them 
when “ spooring” game) exists amongst the Bechuanas, viz., that when 
a number of these men are in search of the elephant, or other beast, 
the individual who first hits off the right track forthwith loudly 
smacks his nether-end with his hand as a signal to his companions 
of his success; and when they are afterwards traversing in a line the 
mazes of the forest, each one warns the one behind him of any rough 
sticks, stones, or thorns which lie across the path by the same elegant 
and friendly gesture. 
