270 
NEARLY CAUGHT. 
[chap. VII. 
the plain, but the level was *a mass of deep, hardened 
ruts, over which no horse could gallop. Knowing my 
friend’s character, I rode up the rising ground to re¬ 
connoitre : I found it tolerably clear of holes, and far 
superior to the rutty bottom. My two mounted gun- 
bearers had now joined me, and far from enjoying the 
sport, they were almost green with fright, when I 
ordered them to keep close to me and to advance. I 
wanted them to attract the elephant’s attention, so as 
to enable me to obtain a good shoulder shot. Eiding 
along the open plain, I at length arrived within about 
fifty yards of the bull, when he slowly turned. Eeining 
“ Tetel” up, I immediately fired a steady shot at the 
shoulder with the Eeilly No. 10 :—for a moment he 
fell upon his knees, but, recovering with wonderful 
quickness, he was in full charge upon me. Fortunately 
I had inspected my ground previous to the attack, and 
away I went up the inclination to my right, the spurs 
hard at work, and the elephant screaming with rage, 
gaining on me. My horse felt as though made of 
wood, and clumsily rolled along in a sort of cow-gallop; 
—in vain I dug 4he spurs into his flanks, and urged 
him by rein and voice; not an extra stride could I get 
out of him, and he reeled along as though thoroughly 
exhausted, plunging in and out of the buffalo holes 
instead of jumping them. Hamed was on my 
