CHAPTER X 
UPS AND DOWNS IN THE MBWEHU BUSH 
One Friday in September, 1909, tired and thirsty, 
we reached the water-hole at Leoto, about two 
o’clock in the afternoon, and decided to camp in the 
vicinity, for, from evidence that is as clear as print 
to a hunter, I had noticed that two or three big 
tuskers came there regularly at night to drink, and 
the chance of bagging one of them ere the moon 
set, was sufficient inducement for me to stay. 
About 9 o’clock, they came stealthily through the 
bush with a silence that would amaze anyone not 
acquainted with big game; but ere they had reached 
the water-hole, some faint scent or sound disclosed 
our presence, for they suddenly changed their plans 
and made off rapidly into the moonlit jungle. 
Next morning, we were up before cock-crow, and 
as soon as the light permitted, set out on their 
tracks of the previous night. My guides informed 
me that these elephants had been hunted for years 
by native hunters, and also during the preceding 
TOO 
