Page 52 - Adventures in Africa
P. 52
“ Fire at that fellow opposite/' be cried. “ I’ll take
the tiext, and they’ll probably turn aside.”
We almost at the same moment pulled our triggers*
The elephant at which my uncle fired stopped short,
then down it came with a crash on its knees; while
the one I aimed at rushed by with its companions,
very nearly giving* me an ugly kick with its feet.
W e had both dropped behind the bush the moment
we had delivered our tire. On went the creatures
trumpeting with rage, and disappointed at not find
ing us*
We were not free from danger, for it was possible
that they might return. A s soon, therefore, as their
tails had disappeared among the brushwood, wc re
loaded and ran towards some trees, the trunks of
which would afford us some protection. Here we
waited a short time in sight of the elephant which
lay dead on the ground. W e coujd hear the trumpet
ing of the others grow less distinct as they made their
way through the forest, either influenced by fear or
excited by rage, fancying they were still following
us up.
u They will not come back for the present," said
my uncle at length as we issued out from among the
trees, when he at once began to cut out the tusks
from tthe dead elephant. These lie calculated weighed
together fully a hundred and ten pounds. This, how
ever, was a greater weight than he could carry, and
he would not allow me to attempt to help him.
u You shall convey one of the feet to the camp, and
we will try our skill in cooking it,'J he said, dexter
ously cutting it off.