ELEPHANT HUNTING 
247 
Cuninghame, Heller, and I started on our hunt; but by 
noon it had stopped. Of course we went in single file and 
on foot; not even a bear hunter from the cane-brakes of the 
lower Mississippi could ride through that forest. We left 
our home camp standing, taking blankets and a coat and 
change of underclothing for each of us, and two small 
Whymper tents, with enough food for three days; I also 
took my wash kit and a book from the Pigskin Library. 
First marched the ’Ndorobo guides, each with his spear, his 
blanket round his shoulders, and a little bundle of corn and 
sweet potato. Then came Cuninghame, followed by his 
gun-bearer. Then I came, clad in khaki-colored flannel 
shirt and khaki trousers buttoning down the legs, with hob¬ 
nailed shoes and a thick slouch hat; I had intended to 
wear rubber-soled shoes, but the soaked ground was too 
slippery. My two gun-bearers followed, carrying the Hol¬ 
land and the Springfield. Then came Heller, at the head 
of a dozen porters and skinners; he and they were to fall 
behind when we actually struck fresh elephant spoor, but 
to follow our trail by the help of a Dorobo who was left 
with them. 
For three hours our route lay along the edge of the 
woods. We climbed into and out of deep ravines in which 
groves of tree ferns clustered. We waded through streams 
of swift water, whose course was broken by cataract and 
rapid. We passed through shambas, and by the doors of 
little hamlets of thatched beehive huts. We met flocks of 
goats and hairy, fat-tailed sheep guarded by boys; strings 
of burden-bearing women stood meekly to one side to let 
us pass; parties of young men sauntered by, spear in 
hand. 
