A SEVERE SHOOK. 
313 
sighting the poor beast, who, from the quantity of 
blood in his spoor was evidently severely wounded. 
My attendant having now rejoined me, I managed 
this time to fire all my three barrels; but, though 
every bullet told on his carcase, they had not the 
effect of bringing him down. To my surprise and 
satisfaction, nevertheless, he, instead of trying to 
escape (perhaps from being unequal to the task), 
began gradually to retrace his steps. 
Hearing just at this time a peculiar hammering 
sort of noise close under the hill, I turned aside to 
ascertain the cause. It arose, I found, from a party 
of Ovambos, who were plundering some bees’ nests. 
Several dogs accompanied the men, which, on our 
approach, began to bark most furiously. For a 
moment I really thought my quarry would escape 
me; but my misgivings, fortunately, proved un¬ 
founded, for I soon overtook the poor creature 
resting under a small tree. I crept quite close to 
him, and once more the contents of all my barrels 
entered his body, though without apparent effect, 
as he remained quite motionless. 
Unfortunately, whilst pulling the trigger of the 
small-bore, both barrels went off together; the gun 
being light, and very heavily loaded, the recoil 
was most powerful. The stock struck me violently 
on the face, and the left-hand cock, burying itself 
deeply in my upper lip, loosened some of 
teeth. The shock almost stunned me; indeed, it 
was enough to have prostrated a horse, yet I almost 
instantly recovered myself. 
Bullets for my large rifle, and powder, now 
