CHAP. XXIII. 
THE ELEPHANT-HUNT. 
231 
and a large party assembled on board the former at 
Simon’s Bay. Currie and myself were invited as His 
Koyal Highness’s guests, and the Governor took a por¬ 
tion of his staff and some private friends with him. 
The 4 Petrel ’ was detailed to accompany the 
4 Racoon,’ because her small size admitted of her cross¬ 
ing the bar and running into the little harbour inside 
the Knysna River mouth. We reached the offing of 
the Knysna on the afternoon of the second day; tran¬ 
shipped at sea from the 4 Racoon ’ to the 4 Petrel,’ and 
entered the river, where numbers of people were col¬ 
lected, on the beautiful bluffs at the entrance, to 
welcome the Queen’s son, the 4 Racoon ’ lying off and 
on at sea outside. 
His Royal Highness and the shooting-party landed 
and proceeded to a comfortable house, where we all 
dined and slept. At daylight next morning a large 
party of the gentry and farmers from the neighbour¬ 
hood collected to welcome and accompany the Prince 
to the hunting-grounds. Saddle-horses were also 
provided for the whole party, and a couple of wagons 
carried tents and provender. Luckily a new road had 
just been completed through the immense forest, 
where the elephants were known to be. The cavalcade 
soon got under way, and the ride through this grand 
forest was magnificent. Here and there you came upon 
the fresh trace of the elephants, where they had just 
