urney the only game that the
hunters encountered were elands, buffaloes, and antelopes of various
kinds. Of these numbers were killed, so as to supply the camp with
food, and also to lay in a stock of beltong for the future; for in some
parts of Africa the game suddenly disappears, apparently without cause,
and the hunter finds it extremely difficult to obtain even the
necessaries for his daily meals. More than once there had been
expectations raised in consequence of elephants' footmarks having been
discovered, but on examination these proved to be old, and the elephants
were evidently journeying northwards when they left their traces on the
ground. The party had now reached the sources of the Pongola river, and
the traces of elephants were most numerous.

"We must have passed many herds of elephants in the forests," said
Victor, as he rode beside Hans, and followed the spoor of some bull
elephants which was very fresh, and which had been traced since
daybreak. "We should have stopped and hunted them."

"We can do that on our return, if we do not obtain enough ivory
hereabouts to fill our waggons; but I think this country much better
suited for hunting than the thicker bush further down. We can always
ride our horses here, which we could not in the bush we have passed; and
so our success here will be probably greater. We ought soon to sight
these elephants, for the spoor is quite fresh. Hark! did you not hear a
trumpet? There are elephants near, and we shall get them to-day. Where
are the rest of our party?"

"They have all gone after the spoor that led along the river's bank, and
I don't think that was as fresh as this; but need we wait for them?
They may have found their game, and will not wish to join us."

"We will ride on," said Hans. "It was among those trees in that slope I
heard the trumpet, and see! there is a bull elephant. Pull up; let us
watch him awhile; he is a magnificent tusker, and there are at least
half-a-dozen others. Victor, we must get nearly all these. We shall
have a good day's work to do that, though, for they will carry away many
bullets. Ah! there was a shot from down to leeward: so the others have
found elephants. See! the bull has heard the shot, and is alarmed."

It was true that the sound of a gun, though probably not an unusual
sound, was yet one that alarmed the elephants, for they collected
hurriedly together, and strode away at a rapid pace.

"I wish we could have