could now hear the troop of elephants rapidly retreating through the
forest. The loud crashing of the thick branches showed the alarming
sound of a rifle had caused a headlong rush to be made, that sounded
like a rolling fire of musketry.

We did not give them much time to get away, but followed at once to the
spot from which I had fired. I had no hope that my elephant would be
dead; I knew the tough constitution of these animals too well. I was
disappointed, however, at finding no blood, none appearing for the first
few yards; I began to think that, by some strange chance, I had missed
him. We soon, however, saw two or three drops of blood, and then more;
at length it lay about as though poured from a pail. Both my Kaffirs
were delighted, and exclaimed that we _must_ get him. I had not much
hope of so satisfactory a result, having made many a weary journey
without success after other elephants quite as badly wounded as this.
Monyosi followed the spoor with great accuracy; he had taken the
dimensions of the feet of the wounded animal, and could therefore
recognise the prints on every doubtful occasion.

We had followed about two miles in this way, when we heard a loud crash
in advance of us. Approaching carefully in the direction, I caught a
glimpse of an elephant some forty yards distant, standing in a little
open space. Aiming at his shoulder, I at once gave him the benefit of
my heavy rifle. I stooped under the smoke to see if he had fallen, but
saw him rush away. I was turning round to join my Kaffirs, who had
fallen back a few yards, when the bushes almost close to me were
violently shaken, and the elephant that I had first wounded shuffled out
into the path up which we had just come. He was not ten yards from me,
and my only chance of escaping detection was by remaining perfectly
still. He did not seem to notice me, but to have been attracted by the
rich flavour of my Kaffirs. He heard their rapid retreat, and charged
after them; of which movement I immediately took advantage, and slipped
off in a contrary direction. My rifle was soon loaded, and I was then
more ready for another encounter.

I was anxious to discover what had become of my Kaffirs,--not that I had
much fear for them, each could be trusted alone; but I wanted to have
the benefit of their advice as to our proceedings.

I dared not stay where I then was, however, as several of the herd were
now trumpeting furiously, and kept slowly ap