Page 99 - Adventures in Africa

them unmolested. After a while I saw them return­
ing by the way they had come, appearing in the
uncertain light like huge phantoms so noiselessly did
they stalk over the ground.

It is strange that, huge as the elephant is, from the
soft padding of its feet, the sound of its steps is not
heard even on hard ground. Its approach is only

to be discovered by the snapping of boughs and twigs
as it makes its way among the brushwood.
W e were but a short distance from the spot where
we had left the elephant’s tusks, one of the objects of

our expedition. I felt very sure of the place, as the
adventure we had there met with had marked it in

my memory.
I was going up to the tree followed by Jan, when I
saw an object moving among the branches. This
made me approach cautiously, and fortunately I did

so, for on looking up, I caught sight of an enormous
leopard, which probably had been attracted by the
smell of the flesh still adhering to the roots of the

tusks. As the creature had got possession of the
tree, I had first to dislodge him before I could obtain
our tusks ; that they were still there I discovered by
seeing their points sticking out beyond the forks of

the boughs where we had deposited them* I knew
the leopard's habit of leaping down on passing
animals, and thought it might attempt to catch me

in the same manner. I therefore stood at a distance,
but though I shouted at the top of my voice, and
threw pieces of wood at it, it held its post, snarling

and growling savagely.
w Better shoot him, or he come down when no