-■WITHIN RANGE. 
311 
of verifying with my own eyes the statements of the 
natives. 
The elephants were then distant about three 
quarters of a mile, slowly browsing amongst some 
brushwood at the foot of a low ridge. A few 
seconds enabled me to make my arrangements* 
Leaving a couple of men on the rock to watch their 
movements, I proceeded with the rest to the attack, 
making a considerable circuit in order to get to the 
leeward of our game-—the wind being at first ex¬ 
ceedingly unfavourable. 
Having gained the foot of the hill where the 
animals were last seen, I sent two natives ahead, 
up the hill, to reconnoitre. A low whistle, the sig¬ 
nal to advance, was soon heard, which quickly 
brought me alongside of the scouts. The elephants 
were still almost on the spot where they had been 
first seen, but I could only make out two. Putting 
fresh priming and cap to my rifle, and ramming the 
bullet well home, I dropped noiselessly down the 
rock, accompanied by one of my own Damaras, 
who carried a spare gun. The rest of the party 
were instructed to remain quiet within their hiding- 
place. A. couple of minutes’ walk brought me 
within range of one of the elephants, and, the cover 
being admirable, I advanced to within about twenty- 
five paces of the spot where he stood. He was 
then somewhat aslant from me, but soon turned his 
broadside. Some minutes, however, elapsed before 
I could make out the exact position of his shoulder. 
I once attempted to get a little ahead of him, but 
soon found my situation less favourable than before, 
