Page 71 - Adventures in Africa

each tusk was considerably above half a hundred­
weight,

“ I hope that we shall be able to send for these
some day or other, and we are not likely to forget
this spot in a hurry," remarked my uncle.

Having' cut off one of the elephant’s feet we ran a
stick through it and started off for the camp. The

day, however, was not to pass without another adven­
ture. W e had not gone half the distance when we
saw, above the bushes, the head and neck of a giraffe.

It did not appear to be alarmed; but influenced by
curiosity, instead of cantering away, it drew nearer,
coming round the end of the clump, evidently wonder­

ing what strange creatures we could be. So in­
terested was it that it did not notice another and more
formidable enemy which had been creeping up close

behind. This was a lion, which, engaged in stalking
its prey, did not discover us. We, therefore, could

watch at a safe distance what was taking place. The
lion kept creeping on, cautious as a cat, and with
movements very similar, when, believing that it had

got near enough for its purpose, with a rush and a
tremendous bound, it leapt on the back of the giraffe

before the latter could use its heels to drive off its foe.
With fearful tenacity the savage creature hung on to
the shoulders of the terrified giraife, which bounded

forward, and leapt and sprang from side to side in a
vain endeavour to shake off its foe. Not a sound did
it utter, but dashed on, with head erect; while the

lion was tearing away with its teeth and claws at its
shoulders and neck. There was no doubt from the
first which of the two would gain the victor)", Blood