x UPS AND DOWNS IN THE MBWEHU BUSH 107 
wits, dropped the heavy rifle he was carrying and 
rushed back full tilt towards the cover from which 
he had just emerged. Fortunately, my tracker had 
discarded my weapon before entering the reeds, and 
running and picking it up, I joined the chase hoping 
to get a shot at the beast before he had time to 
THE THIRD ELEPHANT 
overtake my man. Ntawasie, in his race for dear 
life, sped swiftly down one path, doubled back on 
another and once more emerged into open country, 
but the ruse, decidedly clever though it was, failed 
to deceive the keen-scented animal, who, quickly 
picking up the spoor, also dashed out of the reeds 
only a few seconds afterwards. My tracker, seeing 
the brute still in pursuit and feeling that his fate was 
