Having seen our camp prepared on a picturesque knoll, I thought I would endeavour to procure some meat, which this interesting region seemed to promise.  I sallied out with my little Winchester along the banks of the river eastward.  I travelled for an hour or two, the prospect getting more picturesque and lovely, and then went up a ravine which looked very promising.  Unsuccessful, I strode up the bank, and my astonishment may be conceived when I found myself directly in front of an elephant, who had his large broad ears held out like studding sails—­the colossal monster, the incarnation of might of the African world.  Methought when I saw his trunk stretched forward, like a warning finger, that I heard a voice say, “Siste, Venator!” But whether it did not proceed from my imagination or—­No; I believe it proceeded from Kalulu, who must have shouted, “Tembo, tembo! bana yango!” “Lo! an elephant! an elephant, my master!”

For the young rascal had fled as soon as he had witnessed the awful colossus in such close vicinage.  Recovering from my astonishment, I thought it prudent to retire also—­especially, with a pea-shooter loaded with treacherous sawdust cartridges in my hand.  As I looked behind, I saw him waving his trunk, which I understood to mean, “Good-bye, young fellow; it is lucky for you you went in time, for I was going to pound you to a jelly.”

As I was congratulating myself, a wasp darted fiercely at me and planted its sting in my neck, and for that afternoon my anticipated pleasures were dispelled.  Arriving at camp I found the men grumbling; their provisions were ended, and there was no prospect for three days, at least, of procuring any.  With the improvidence usual with the gluttons, they had eaten their rations of grain, all their store of zebra and dried buffalo meat, and were now crying out that they were famished.

The tracks of animals were numerous, but it being the rainy season the game was scattered everywhere; whereas, had we travelled during the dry season through these forests our larders might have been supplied fresh each day.

Some time about 6 P.M., as the Doctor and I were taking our tea outside the tent, a herd of elephants, twelve in number, passed about 800 yards off.  Our fundi, Asmani and Mabruki Kisesa, were immediately despatched in pursuit.  I would have gone myself with the heavy Reilly rifle, only I was too much fatigued.  We soon heard their guns firing, and hoped they were successful, as a plentiful supply of meat might then have been procured, while we ourselves would have secured one of the elephant’s feet for a nice delicate roast; but within an hour they returned unsuccessful, having only drawn blood, some of which they exhibited to us on a leaf.