220 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
them, reading only a little at a time, and then doiim 
something else to spin them out to the uttermost. 
Fresh elephant spoor was seen this morning. I 
went at once to see if Yeichman was fresh enough 
to follow, but his feet are quite worn through. 
December 1st. — I never was so tired in my life. 
Swartz has sold the wagons to Mosilikatse for twenty 
teeth; and we may wait here another ten days 
before they arrive. After that, he says he will give 
us permission to hunt, but it comes too late to be 
of any service to me, as my last horse is dead; and 
I hear to-day that John has gone back to the house 
with Viljoen, taking my two horses with him. If 
this is true, it will be the greatest 6 sell ’ that ever 
happened to any poor mortal in this world. I 
wrote and despatched a long yarn to Moffat three 
days ago, and I wished to send a messenger to John 
to-day; but, though I bribed Impugan with a very 
handsome sheep-skin kaross, he would not give me 
a Kaffir to show mine the way. 
3rd. — A great quantity of rain has fallen the 
last week, and I am quite tired of it. Heard to¬ 
day, positively, that John has gone back ten days 
ago. Never was poor mortal so miserably duped as 
I am. After coming seven months’ journey to 
hunt, now, when we at last get leave, I have no 
horse, though I gave 50/. for a brute not worth 15/., 
and this country is so open that it is almost impos¬ 
sible to kill elephants on foot; and so flat, too, and the 
trees so small, that a wounded elephant must catch you. 
