PREFACE
　　Itmaybewelltostatethattheincidentofthe"Thingthatbites"recordedinthistaleisnotaneffortoftheimagination。
　　Onthecontrary，itis"plagiarized。"Mandara，awell—knownchiefontheeastcoastofAfrica，hassuchanarticle，/andusesit/。
　　InthesamewaythewickedconductattributedtoWambeisnotwithoutaprecedent。T’Chaka，theZuluNapoleon，neverallowedachildofhistolive。Indeedhewentfurther，forondiscoveringthathismother，Unandi，wasbringinguponeofhissonsinsecret，likeNerohekilledher，andwithhisownhand。
　　MAIWA’SREVENGE
　　I
　　GOBOSTRIKES
　　Oneday——itwasaboutaweekafterAllanQuatermaintoldmehisstoryofthe"ThreeLions，"andofthemovingdeathofJim—Jim——heandI
　　werewalkinghometogetherontheterminationofaday’sshooting。HeownedabouttwothousandacresofshootingroundtheplacehehadboughtinYorkshire，overahundredofwhichwerewood。Itwasthesecondyearofhisoccupationoftheestate，andalreadyhehadrearedaveryfairheadofpheasants，forhewasanall—roundsportsman，andasfondofshootingwithashot—gunaswithaneight—borerifle。Wewerethreegunsthatday，SirHenryCurtis，OldQuatermain，andmyself；butSirHenrywasobligedtoleaveinthemiddleoftheafternooninordertomeethisagent，andinspectanoutlyingfarmwhereanewshedwaswanted。However，hewascomingbacktodinner，andgoingtobringCaptainGoodwithhim，forBrayleyHallwasnotmorethantwomilesfromtheGrange。
　　Wehadmetwithveryfairsport，consideringthatwewereonlygoingthroughoutlyingcoverforcocks。Ithinkthatwehadkilledtwenty—
　　seven，awoodcockandaleashofpartridgeswhichwesecuredoutofadrivencovey。Onourwayhometherelayalongnarrowspinney，whichwasaveryfavourite"lie"forwoodcocks，andgenerallyheldapheasantortwoaswell。
　　"Well，whatdoyousay？"saidoldQuatermain，"shallwebeatthroughthisforafinish？"
　　Iassented，andhecalledtothekeeperwhowasfollowingwithalittleknotofbeaters，andtoldhimtobeatthespinney。
　　"Verywell，sir，"answeredtheman，"butit’sgettingwonderfuldark，andthewind’srisingagale。Itwilltakeyouallyourtimetohitawoodcockifthespinneyholdsone。"
　　"Youshowusthewoodcocks，Jeffries，"answeredQuatermainquickly，forheneverlikedbeingcrossedinanythingtodowithsport，"andwewilllookaftershootingthem。"
　　Themanturnedandwentrathersulkily。Iheardhimsaytotheunder—
　　keeper，"He’sprettygood，themasteris，I’mnotsayingheisn’t，butifhekillsawoodcockinthislightandwind，I’maDutchman。"
　　IthinkthatQuatermainheardhimtoo，thoughhesaidnothing。Thewindwasrisingeveryminute，andbythetimethebeatbegunitblewbigguns。Istoodattheright—handcornerofthespinney，whichcurvedroundsomewhat，andQuatermainstoodattheleft，aboutfortypacesfromme。Presentlyanoldcockpheasantcamerocketingoverme，lookingasthoughthefeatherswerebeingblownoutofhistail。I
　　missedhimcleanwiththefirstbarrel，andwasnevermorepleasedwithmyselfinmylifethanwhenIdoubledhimupwiththesecond，fortheshotwasnotaneasyone。InthefaintlightIcouldseeQuatermainnoddinghisheadinapproval，whenthroughthegroaningofthetreesIheardtheshoutsofthebeaters，"Cockforward，cocktotheright。"Thencameawholevolleyofshouts，"Woodcocktotheright，""Cocktotheleft，""Cockover。"
　　Ilookedup，andpresentlycaughtsightofoneofthewoodcockscomingdownthewinduponmelikeaflash。InthatdimlightIcouldnotfollowallhismovementsashezigzaggedthroughthenakedtree—tops；
　　indeedIcouldseehimwhenhiswingsflittedup。Nowhewaspassingme——/bang/，andaflickofthewing，Ihadmissedhim；/bang/again。
　　Surelyhewasdown；no，therehewenttomyleft。
　　"Cocktoyou，"Ishouted，steppingforwardsoastogetQuatermainbetweenmeandthefaintangrylightofthedyingday，forIwantedtoseeifhewould"wipemyeye。"Iknewhimtobeawonderfulshot，butIthoughtthatcockwouldpuzzlehim。
　　Isawhimraisehisguneversolittleandbendforward，andatthatmomentoutflashedtwowoodcocksintotheopen，theoneIhadmissedtohisright，andtheothertohisleft。
　　Atthesametimeafreshshoutaroseof，"Woodcockover，"andlookingdownthespinneyIsawathirdbirdhighupintheair，beingblownalonglikeabrownandwhirlingleafstraightoverQuatermain’shead。
　　AndthenfollowedtheprettiestlittlebitofshootingthatIeversaw。Thebirdtotherightwasflyinglow，nottenyardsfromthelineofahedgerow，andQuatermaintookhimfirstbecausehewouldbecomeinvisiblethesoonestofany。Indeed，nobodywhohadnothishawk’seyescouldhaveseentoshootatall。Buthesawthebirdwellenoughtokillitdeadasastone。Thenturningsharply，hepulledonthesecondbirdataboutforty—fiveyards，andoverhewent。Bythistimethethirdwoodcockwasnearlyoverhim，andflyingveryhigh，straightdownthewind，ahundredfeetupormore，Ishouldsay。Isawhimglanceatitasheopenedhisgun，threwouttherightcartridgeandslippedinanother，turningroundashedidso。Bythistimethecockwasnearlyfiftyyardsawayfromhim，andtravellinglikeaflash。
　　Liftinghisgunhefiredafterit，and，wonderfulastheshotwas，killeditdead。Atearinggustofwindcaughtthedeadbird，andblewitawaylikealeaftornfromanoak，sothatitfellahundredandthirtyyardsofformore。
　　"Isay，Quatermain，"Isaidtohimwhenthebeaterswereup，"doyouoftendothissortofthing？"
　　"Well，"heanswered，withadrysmile，"thelasttimeIhadtoloadthreeshotsasquicklyasthatwasatratherlargergame。Itwasatelephants。IkilledthemallthreeasdeadasIkilledthosewoodcocks；butitverynearlywenttheotherway，Icantellyou；I
　　meanthattheyverynearlykilledme。"
　　Justatthatmomentthekeepercameup，"Didyouhappentogetoneofthemtherecocks，sir？"hesaid，withtheairofamanwhodidnotintheleastexpectananswerintheaffirmative。
　　"Well，yes，Jeffries，"answeredQuatermain；"youwillfindoneofthembythehedge，andanotheraboutfiftyyardsoutbytheploughtheretotheleft————"
　　Thekeeperhadturnedtogo，lookingalittleastonished，whenQuatermaincalledhimback。
　　"Stopabit，Jeffries，"hesaid。"Youseethatpollardaboutonehundredandfortyyardsoff？Well，thereshouldbeanotherwoodcockdowninalinewithit，aboutsixtypacesoutinthefield。"
　　"Well，ifthatbean’ttheverysmartestbitofshooting，"murmuredJeffries，anddeparted。
　　Afterthatwewenthome，andinduecourseSirHenryCurtisandCaptainGoodarrivedfordinner，thelatterarrayedinthetightestandmostornamentaldress—suitIeversaw。Irememberthatthewaistcoatwasadornedwithfivepinkcoralbuttons。
　　Itwasaverypleasantdinner。OldQuatermainwasinanexcellenthumour；induced，Ithink，bytherecollectionofhistriumphoverthedoubtingJeffries。Good，too，wasfullofanecdotes。HetoldusamostmiraculousstoryofhowheoncewentshootingibexinKashmir。Theseibex，accordingtoGood，hestalkedearlyandlateforfourentiredays。Atlastonthemorningofthefifthdayhesucceededingettingwithinrangeoftheflock，whichconsistedofamagnificentoldramwithhornssolongthatIamafraidtomentiontheirmeasure，andfiveorsixfemales。Goodcrawleduponhisstomach，painfullytakingshelterbehindrocks，tillhewaswithintwohundredyards；thenhedrewafinebeadupontheoldram。Atthismoment，however，adiversionoccurred。Somewanderingnativeofthehillsappeareduponadistantmountaintop。Thefemalesturned，andrushingoverarockvanishedfromGood’sken。Buttheoldramtookaboldercourse。Infrontofhimstretchedamightycrevasseatleastthirtyfeetinwidth。Hewentatitwithabound。Whilsthewasinmid—airGoodfired，andkilledhimdead。Theramturnedacompletesomersaultinspace，andfellinsuchfashionthathishornshookedthemselvesuponabigprojectionoftheoppositecliffs。Therehehung，tillGood，afteralongandpainfuldétour，gracefullydroppedalassooverhimandfishedhimup。
　　Thismovingtaleofwildadventurewasreceivedwithundeservedincredulity。
　　"Well，"saidGood，"ifyoufellowswon’tbelievemystorywhenItellit——aperfectlytruestorymind——perhapsoneofyouwillgiveusabetter；I’mnotparticularifitistrueornot。"Andhelapsedintoadignifiedsilence。
　　"Now，Quatermain，"Isaid，"don’tletGoodbeatyou，letushearhowyoukilledthoseelephantsyouweretalkingaboutthiseveningjustafteryoushotthewoodcocks。"
　　"Well，"saidQuatermain，dryly，andwithsomethinglikeatwinkleinhisbrowneyes，"itisveryhardfortuneforamantohavetofollowonGood’s"spoor。"Indeedifitwerenotforthatrunninggiraffewhich，asyouwillremember，Curtis，wesawGoodbowloverwithaMartinirifleatthreehundredyards，Ishouldalmosthavesaidthatthiswasanimpossibletale。"
　　HereGoodlookedupwithanairofindignantinnocence。
　　"However，"hewenton，risingandlightinghispipe，"ifyoufellowslike，Iwillspinyouayarn。Iwastellingoneofyoutheothernightaboutthosethreelionsandhowthelionessfinishedmyunfortunate’voorlooper，’Jim—Jim，theboywhomweburiedinthebread—bag。
　　"Well，afterthislittleexperienceIthoughtthatIwouldsettledownabit，soIentereduponaventurewithamanwho，beingofaspeculativemind，hadconceivedtheideaofrunningastoreatPretoriauponstrictlycashprinciples。ThearrangementwasthatI
　　shouldfindthecapitalandhetheexperience。Ourpartnershipwasnotofalongduration。TheBoersrefusedtopaycash，andattheendoffourmonthsmypartnerhadthecapitalandIhadtheexperience。AfterthisIcametotheconclusionthatstore—keepingwasnotinmyline，andhavingfourhundredpoundsleft，IsentmyboyHarrytoaschoolinNatal，andbuyinganoutfitwithwhatremainedofthemoney，starteduponabigtrip。
　　"ThistimeIdeterminedtogofurtherafieldthanIhadeverbeenbefore；soItookapassageforafewpoundsinatradingbrigthatranbetweenDurbanandDelagoaBay。FromDelagoaBayImarchedinlandaccompaniedbytwentyporters，withtheideaofstrikingupnorth，towardstheLimpopo，andkeepingparalleltothecoast，butatadistanceofaboutonehundredandfiftymilesfromit。Forthefirsttwentydaysofourjourneywesufferedagooddealfromfever，thatis，mymendid，forIthinkthatIamfeverproof。AlsoIwashardputtoittokeepthecampinmeat，foralthoughthecountryprovedtobeverysparselypopulated，therewasbutlittlegameabout。Indeed，duringallthattimeIhardlykilledanythinglargerthanawaterbuck，and，asyouknow，waterbuck’sfleshisnotveryappetisingfood。Onthetwentiethday，however，wecametothebanksofalargishriver，theGonoorooitwascalled。ThisIcrossed，andthenstruckinlandtowardsagreatrangeofmountains，thebluecrestsofwhichwecouldseelyingonthedistantheavenslikeashadow，acontinuation，asI
　　believe，oftheDrakensbergrangethatskirtsthecoastofNatal。Fromthismainrangeagreatspurshootsoutsomefiftymilesorsotowardsthecoast，endingabruptlyinonetremendouspeak。ThisspurI
　　discoveredseparatedtheterritoriesoftwochiefsnamedNalaandWambe，Wambe’sterritorybeingtothenorth，andNala’stothesouth。
　　NalaruledatribeofbastardZuluscalledtheButiana，andWambeamuchlargertribe，calledtheMatuku，whichpresentsmarkedBantucharacteristics。Forinstance，theyhavedoorsandverandahstotheirhuts，workskinsperfectly，andwearawaistclothandnotamoocha。AtthistimetheButianaweremoreorlesssubjecttotheMatuku，havingbeensurprisedbythemsometwentyyearsbeforeandmercilesslyslaughtereddown。Thetribewasnowrecoveringitself，however，andasyoumayimagine，itdidnotlovetheMatuku。
　　"Well，IheardasIwentalongthatelephantswereveryplentifulinthedenseforestswhichlieupontheslopesandatthefootofthemountainsthatborderWambe’sterritory。AlsoIheardaveryillreportofthatworthyhimself，wholivedinakraaluponthesideofthemountain，whichwassostronglyfortifiedastobepracticallyimpregnable。ItwassaidthathewasthemostcruelchiefinthispartofAfrica，andthathehadmurderedincoldbloodanentirepartyofEnglishgentlemen，who，somesevenyearsbefore，hadgoneintohiscountrytohuntelephants。Theytookanoldfriendofminewiththemasguide，JohnEverybyname，andoftenhadImournedoverhisuntimelydeath。Allthesame，WambeornoWambe，Ideterminedtohuntelephantsinhiscountry。Ineverwasafraidofnatives，andIwasnotgoingtoshowthewhitefeathernow。Iamabitofafatalist，asyoufellowsknow，soIcametotheconclusionthatifitwasfatedthatWambeshouldsendmetojoinmyoldfriendJohnEvery，Ishouldhavetogo，andtherewasanendofit。Meanwhile，Imeanttohuntelephantswithapeacefulheart。
　　"Onthethirddayfromthedateofoursightingthegreatpeak，wefoundourselvesbeneathitsshadow。Stillfollowingthecourseoftheriverwhichwoundthroughtheforestsatthebaseofthepeak，weenteredtheterritoryoftheredoubtableWambe。This，however，wasnotaccomplishedwithoutacertaindifferenceofopinionbetweenmybearersandmyself，forwhenwereachedthespotwhereWambe’sboundarywassupposedtorun，thebearerssatdownandemphaticallyrefusedtogoastepfurther。Isatdowntoo，andarguedwiththem，puttingmyfatalisticviewsbeforethemaswellasIwasable。ButI
　　couldnotpersuadethemtolookatthematterinthesamelight。’Atpresent，’theysaid，’theirskinswerewhole；iftheywentintoWambe’scountrywithouthisleavetheywouldsoonbelikeawater—
　　eatenleaf。ItwasverywellformetosaythatthiswouldbeFate。
　　FatenodoubtmightbewalkingaboutinWambe’scountry，butwhiletheystoppedoutsidetheywouldnotmeethim。’
　　"’Well，’IsaidtoGobo，myheadman，’andwhatdoyoumeantodo？’
　　"’Wemeantogobacktothecoast，Macumazahn，’heansweredinsolently。
　　"’Doyou？’Ireplied，formybilewasstirred。’Atanyrate，Mr。Gobo，youandoneortwootherswillnevergetthere；seehere，myfriend，’
　　andItookarepeatingrifleandsatmyselfcomfortablydown，restingmybackagainstatree——’Ihavejustbreakfasted，andIhadassoonspendthedayhereasanywhereelse。Nowifyouoranyofthosemenwalkonestepbackfromhere，andtowardsthecoast，Ishallfireatyou；andyouknowthatIdon’tmiss。’
　　"Themanfingeredthespearhewascarrying——luckilyallmygunswerestackedagainstthetree——andthenturnedasthoughtowalkaway，theotherskeepingtheireyesfixeduponhimallthewhile。Iroseandcoveredhimwiththerifle，andthoughhekeptupabraveappearanceofunconcern，Isawthathewasglancingnervouslyatmeallthetime。
　　WhenhehadgoneabouttwentyyardsIspokeveryquietly——
　　"’Now，Gobo，’Isaid，’comeback，orIshallfire。’
　　"Ofcoursethiswastakingaveryhighhand；IhadnorealrighttokillGobooranybodyelsebecausetheyobjectedtoruntheriskofdeathbyenteringtheterritoryofahostilechief。ButIfeltthatifIwishedtokeepupanyauthorityitwasabsolutelynecessarythatI
　　shouldpushmatterstothelastextremityshortofactuallyshootinghim。SoIsatthere，lookingfierceasalion，andkeepingthesightofmyrifleinadeadlineforGobo’sribs。ThenGobo，feelingthatthesituationwasgettingstrained，gavein。
　　"’Don’tshoot，Boss，’heshouted，throwinguphishand，’Iwillcomewithyou。’
　　"’Ithoughtyouwould，’Iansweredquietly；’youseeFatewalksaboutoutsideWambe’scountryaswellasinit。’
　　"AfterthatIhadnomoretrouble，forGobowastheringleader，andwhenhecollapsedtheotherscollapsedalso。Harmonybeingthusrestored，wecrossedtheline，andonthefollowingmorningIbeganshootingingoodearnest。
　　II
　　AMORNING’SSPORT
　　"MovingsomefiveorsixmilesroundthebaseofthegreatpeakofwhichIhavespoken，wecamethesamedaytooneofthefairestbitsofAfricancountrythatIhaveseenoutsideofKukuanaland。Atthisspotthemountainspurthatrunsoutatrightanglestothegreatrange，whichstretchesitscloud—cladlengthnorthandsouthasfarastheeyecanreach，sweepsinwardswithavastandsplendidcurve。Thiscurvemeasuressomefive—and—thirtymilesfrompointtopoint，andacrossitsmoon—likesegmenttheriverflashed，asilverlineoflight。Onthefurthersideoftheriverisameasurelessseaofswellingground，anaturalparkcoveredwithgreatpatchesofbush——
　　someofthembeingmanysquaremilesinextent。Theseareseparatedonefromanotherbygladesofgrassland，brokenhereandtherewithclumpsoftimbertrees；andinsomeinstancesbycuriousisolatedkoppies，andevenbysinglecragsofgranitethatstartupintotheairasthoughtheyweremonumentscarvedbyman，andnottombstonessetbynatureoverthegraveofagesgone。Onthewestthisbeautifulplainisborderedbythelonelymountain，fromtheedgeofwhichitrollsdowntowardthefevercoast；buthowfaritrunstothenorthI
　　cannotsay——eightdays’journey，accordingtothenatives，whenitislostinanuntravelledmorass。
　　"Onthehithersideoftheriverthesceneryisdifferent。Alongtheedgeofitsbanks，wherethelandisflat，aregreenpatchesofswamp。
　　Thencomesawidebeltofbeautifulgrasslandcoveredthicklywithgame，andslopingupverygentlytothebordersoftheforest，which，beginningataboutathousandfeetabovetheleveloftheplain，clothesthemountain—sidealmosttoitscrest。Inthisforestgrowgreattrees，mostofthemoftheyellow—woodspecies。Someofthesetreesaresolofty，thatabirdintheirtopbrancheswouldbeoutofrangeofanordinaryshotgun。Anotherpeculiarthingaboutthemis，thattheyareforthemostpartcoveredwithadensegrowthoftheOrchillamoss；andfromthismossthenativesmanufactureamostexcellentdeeppurpledye，withwhichtheystaintannedhidesandalsocloth，whentheyhappentogetanyofthelatter。IdonotthinkthatIeversawanythingmoreremarkablethantheappearanceofoneofthesemightytreesfestoonedfromtoptobottomwithtrailingwreathsofthissad—huedmoss，inwhichthewindwhispersgentlyasitstirsthem。AtadistanceitlookslikethegraylocksofaTitancrownedwithbrightgreenleaves，andhereandtherestarredwiththerichbloomoforchids。
　　"ThenightofthatdayonwhichIhadmylittledifferenceofopinionwithGobo，wecampedbytheedgeofthisgreatforest，andonthefollowingmorningatdaylightIstartedoutshooting。AswewereshortofmeatIdeterminedtokillabuffalo，ofwhichtherewereplentyabout，beforelookingfortracesofelephants。Notmorethanhalfamilefromcampwecameacrossatrailbroadasacart—road，evidentlymadebyagreatherdofbuffaloeswhichhadpassedupatdawnfromtheirfeedinggroundinthemarshes，tospendthedayinthecoolairoftheuplands。ThistrailIfollowedboldly；forsuchwindastherewasblewstraightdownthemountain—side，thatis，fromthedirectioninwhichthebuffaloeshadgone，tome。Aboutamilefurtherontheforestbegantobedense，andthenatureofthetrailshowedmethatI
　　mustbeclosetomygame。Anothertwohundredyardsandthebushwassothickthat，haditnotbeenforthetrail，wecouldscarcelyhavepassedthroughit。Asitwas，Gobo，whocarriedmyeight—borerifle（forIhadthe。570—expressinmyhand），andtheothertwomenwhomI
　　hadtakenwithme，showedtheverystrongestdisliketogoinganyfurther，pointingoutthattherewas’noroomtorunaway。’Itoldthemthattheyneednotcomeunlesstheyliked，butthatIwascertainlygoingon；andthen，growingashamed，theycame。
　　"Anotherfiftyyards，andthetrailopenedintoalittleglade。I
　　kneltdownandpeepedandpeered，butnobuffalocouldIsee。
　　Evidentlytheherdhadbrokenuphere——Iknewthatfromthespoor——andpenetratedtheoppositebushinlittletroops。Icrossedtheglade，andchoosingonelineofspoor，followeditforsomesixtyyards，whenitbecamecleartomethatIwassurroundedbybuffaloes；andyetsodensewasthecoverthatIcouldnotseeany。AfewyardstomyleftI
　　couldhearonerubbingitshornsagainstatree，whilefrommyrightcameanoccasionallowandthroatygruntwhichtoldmethatIwasuncomfortablynearanoldbull。Icreptontowardshimwithmyheartinmymouth，asgentlyasthoughIwerewalkinguponeggsforabet，liftingeverylittlebitofwoodinmypath，andplacingitbehindmelestitshouldcrackandwarnthegame。Aftermeinsinglefilecamemythreeretainers，andIdon’tknowwhichofthemlookedthemostfrightened。PresentlyGobotouchedmyleg；Iglancedround，andsawhimpointingslantwisetowardstheleft。Iliftedmyheadalittleandpeepedoveramassofcreepers；beyondthecreeperswasadensebushofsharp—pointedaloes，ofthatkindofwhichtheleavesprojectlaterally，andontheothersideofthealoes，notfifteenpacesfromus，Imadeoutthehorns，neck，andtheridgeofthebackofatremendousoldbull。Itookmyeight—bore，andgettingontomykneepreparedtoshoothimthroughtheneck，takingmychanceofcuttinghisspine。Ihadalreadycoveredhimaswellasthealoeleaveswouldallow，whenhegaveakindofsighandlaydown。
　　"Ilookedroundindismay。Whatwastobedonenow？Icouldnotseetoshoothimlyingdown，evenifmybulletwouldhavepiercedtheinterveningaloes——whichwasdoubtful——andifIstooduphewouldeitherrunawayorchargeme。Ireflected，andcametotheconclusionthattheonlythingtodowastoliedownalso；forIdidnotfancywanderingafterotherbuffaloesinthatdensebush。Ifabuffaloliesdown，itisclearthathemustgetupagainsometime，soitwasonlyacaseofpatience——’fightingthefightofsitdown，’astheZulussay。
　　"AccordinglyIsatdownandlightedapipe，thinkingthatthesmellofitmightreachthebuffaloandmakehimgetup。Butthewindwasthewrongway，anditdidnot；sowhenitwasdoneIlitanother。
　　AfterwardsIhadcausetoregretthatpipe。
　　"Well，wesquattedlikethisforbetweenhalfandthreequartersofanhour，tillatlengthIbegantogrowheartilysickoftheperformance。
　　Itwasaboutasdullabusinessasthelasthourofacomicopera。I
　　couldhearbuffaloessnortingandmovingallround，andseethered—
　　beakedticbirdsflyingupofftheirbacks，makingakindofhissastheydidso，somethinglikethatoftheEnglishmissel—thrush，butI
　　couldnotseeasinglebuffalo。Asformyoldbull，Ithinkhemusthavesleptthesleepofthejust，forheneverevenstirred。
　　"JustasIwasmakingupmymindthatsomethingmustbedonetosavethesituation，myattentionwasattractedbyacuriousgrindingnoise。
　　AtfirstIthoughtthatitmustbeabuffalochewingthecud，butwasobligedtoabandontheideabecausethenoisewastooloud。Ishiftedmyselfroundandstaredthroughthecracksinthebush，inthedirectionwhencethesoundseemedtocome，andonceIthoughtthatI
　　sawsomethinggraymovingaboutfiftyyardsoff，butcouldnotmakecertain。AlthoughthegrindingnoisestillcontinuedIcouldseenothingmore，soIgaveupthinkingaboutit，andonceagainturnedmyattentiontothebuffalo。Presently，however，somethinghappened。
　　Suddenlyfromaboutfortyyardsawaytherecameatremendoussnortingsound，morelikethatmadebyanenginegettingaheavytrainunderweighthananythingelseintheworld。
　　"’ByJove，’Ithought，turningroundinthedirectionfromwhichthegrindingsoundhadcome，’thatmustbearhinoceros，andhehasgotourwind。’For，asyoufellowsknow，thereisnomistakingthesoundmadebyarhinoceroswhenhegetswindofyou。
　　"Anothersecond，andIheardamosttremendouscrashingnoise。BeforeIcouldthinkwhattodo，beforeIcouldevengetup，thebushbehindmeseemedtoburstasunder，andthereappearednoteightyardsfromus，thegreathornandwickedtwinklingeyeofachargingrhinoceros。
　　Hehadwindedusormypipe，Idonotknowwhich，and，afterthefashionofthesebrutes，hadchargedupthescent。Icouldnotrise，I
　　couldnotevengetthegunup，Ihadnotime。AllthatIwasabletodowastorolloverasfaroutofthemonster’spathasthebushwouldallow。Anothersecondandhewasoverme，hisgreatbulktoweringabovemelikeamountain，and，uponmyword，Icouldnotgethissmelloutofmynostrilsforaweek。Circumstancesimpresseditonmymemory，atleastIsupposeso。Hishotbreathblewuponmyface，oneofhisfrontfeetjustmissedmyhead，andhishindoneactuallytrodupontheloosepartofmytrousersandpinchedalittlebitofmyskin。IsawhimpassovermelyingasIwasuponmyback，andnextsecondIsawsomethingelse。Mymenwerealittlebehindme，andthereforestraightinthepathoftherhinoceros。Oneofthemflunghimselfbackwardsintothebush，andthusavoidedhim。Thesecondwithawildyellsprungtohisfeet，andboundedlikeanindia—rubberballrightintothealoebush，landingwellamongthespikes。Butthethird，itwasmyfriendGobo，couldnotbyanymeansgetaway。Hemanagedtogainhisfeet，andthatwasall。Therhinoceroswaschargingwithhisheadlow；hishornpassedbetweenGobo’slegs，andfeelingsomethingonhisnose，hejerkeditup。AwaywentGobo，highintotheair。Heturnedacompletesomersaultattheapexofthecurve，andashedidso，Icaughtsightofhisface。Itwasgraywithterror，andhismouthwaswideopen。Downhecame，rightontothegreatbrute’sback，andthatbrokehisfall。Luckilyforhimtherhinocerosneverturned，butcrashedstraightthroughthealoebush，onlymissingthemanwhohadjumpedintoitbyaboutayard。
　　"Thenfollowedacomplication。Thesleepingbuffaloonthefurthersideofthebush，hearingthenoise，sprangtohisfeet，andforasecond，notknowingwhattodo，stoodstill。Atthatinstantthehugerhinocerosblunderedrightontohim，andgettinghishornbeneathhisstomachgavehimsuchafearfuldigthatthebuffalowasturnedoverontohisback，whilehisassailantwentamostamazingcropperoverhiscarcase。Inanothermoment，however，therhinoceroswasup，andwheelingroundtotheleft，crashedthroughthebushdown—hillandtowardstheopencountry。
　　"Instantlythewholeplacebecamealivewithalarmingsounds。Ineverydirectiontroopsofsnortingbuffaloeschargedthroughtheforest，wildwithfright，whiletheinjuredbullonthefurthersideofthebushbegantobellowlikeamadthing。Ilayquitestillforamoment，devoutlyprayingthatnoneoftheflyingbuffaloeswouldcomemyway。
　　ThenwhenthedangerlessenedIgotontomyfeet，shookmyself，andlookedround。Oneofmyboys，hewhohadthrownhimselfbackwardintothebush，wasalreadyhalfwayupatree——ifheavenhadbeenatthetopofithecouldnothaveclimbedquicker。Gobowaslyingclosetome，groaningvigorously，but，asIsuspected，quiteunhurt；whilefromthealoebushintowhichNo。3hadboundedlikeatennisball，issuedasuccessionofthemostpiercingyells。
　　"Ilooked，andsawthatthisunfortunatefellowwasinaverytightplace。Agreatspikeofaloehadrunthroughthebackofhisskinwaist—belt，thoughwithoutpiercinghisflesh，insuchafashionthatitwasimpossibleforhimtomove，whilewithinsixfeetofhimtheinjuredbuffalobull，thinking，nodoubt，thathewastheaggressor，bellowedandrampedtogetathim，tearingthethickaloeswithhisgreathorns。Thatnotimewastobelost，ifIwishedtosavetheman’slife，wasveryclear。Soseizingmyeight—bore，whichwasfortunatelyuninjured，Itookapacetotheleft，fortherhinoceroshadenlargedtheholeinthebush，andaimedatthepointofthebuffalo’sshoulder，sinceonaccountofmypositionIcouldnotgetafairsideshotfortheheart。AsIdidsoIsawthattherhinoceroshadgiventhebullatremendouswoundinthestomach，andthattheshockoftheencounterhadputhislefthind—legoutofjointatthehip。Ifired，andthebulletstrikingtheshoulderbrokeit，andknockedthebuffalodown。Iknewthathecouldnotgetupanymore，becausehewasnowinjuredforeandaft，sonotwithstandinghisterrificbellowsIscrambledroundtowherehewas。Therehelayglaringfuriouslyandtearingupthesoilwithhishorns。SteppinguptowithintwoyardsofhimIaimedatthevertebraofhisneckandfired。Thebulletstrucktrue，andwithathudhedroppedhisheadupontheground，groaned，anddied。
　　"ThislittlematterhavingbeenattendedtowiththeassistanceofGobo，whohadnowfoundhisfeet，Iwentontoextricateourunfortunatecompanionfromthealoebush。Thiswefoundathornytask，butatlasthewasdraggedforthuninjured，thoughinaverypiousandprayerfulframeofmind。His’spirithadcertainlylookedthatway，’
　　hesaid，orhewouldnowhavebeendead。AsIneverliketointerferewithtruepiety，Ididnotventuretosuggestthathisspirithaddeignedtomakeuseofmyeight—boreinhisinterest。
　　"Havingdespatchedthisboybacktothecamptotellthebearerstocomeandcutthebuffaloup，IbethoughtmethatIowedthatrhinocerosagrudgewhichIshouldlovetorepay。SowithoutsayingawordofwhatwasinmymindtoGobo，whowasnowmorethaneverconvincedthatFatewalkedaboutlooseinWambe’scountry，Ijustfollowedonthebrute’sspoor。Hehadcrashedthroughthebushtillhereachedthelittleglade。Thenmoderatinghispacesomewhat，hehadfollowedthegladedownitsentirelength，andoncemoreturnedtotherightthroughtheforest，shapinghiscoursefortheopenlandthatliesbetweentheedgeofthebushandtheriver。Havingfollowedhimforamileorsofurther，Ifoundmyselfquiteontheopen。Itookoutmyglassesandsearchedtheplain。Aboutamileaheadwassomethingbrown——asIthought，therhinoceros。Iadvancedanotherquarterofamile，andlookedoncemore——itwasnottherhinoceros，butabigant—
　　heap。Thiswaspuzzling，butIdidnotliketogiveitup，becauseI
　　knewfromhisspoorthathemustbesomewhereahead。Butasthewindwasblowingstraightfrommetowardsthelinethathehadfollowed，andasarhinoceroscansmellyouforaboutamile，itwouldnot，I
　　felt，besafetofollowhistrailanyfurther；soImadeadétourofamileandmore，tillIwasnearlyoppositetheant—heap，andthenoncemoresearchedtheplain。Itwasnogood，Icouldseenothingofhim，andwasabouttogiveitupandstartaftersomeoryxIsawontheskyline，whensuddenlyatadistanceofaboutthreehundredyardsfromtheant—heap，andonitsfurtherside，Isawmyrhinostandupinapatchofgrass。
　　"’Heavens!’Ithoughttomyself，’he’soffagain；’butno，afterstandingstaringforaminuteortwoheoncemorelaydown。
　　"NowIfoundmyselfinaquandary。Asyouknow，arhinocerosisaveryshort—sightedbrute，indeedhissightisasbadashisscentisgood。
　　Ofthisfactheisperfectlyaware，buthealwaysmakesthemostofhisnaturalgifts。Forinstance，whenheliesdownheinvariablydoessowithhisheaddownwind。Thus，ifanyenemycrosseshiswindhewillstillbeabletoescape，orattackhim；andif，ontheotherhand，thedangerapproachesupwindhewillatleasthaveachanceofseeingit。Otherwise，bywalkingdelicately，onemightactuallykickhimuplikeapartridge，ifonlytheadvancewasmadeupwind。
　　"Well，thepointwas，howonearthshouldIgetwithinshotofthisrhinoceros？AftermuchdeliberationIdeterminedtotryasideapproach，thinkingthatinthiswayImightgetashouldershot。
　　Accordinglywestartedinacrouchingattitude，Ifirst，Goboholdingontomycoattails，andtheotherboyontoGobo’smoocha。Ialwaysadoptthisplanwhenstalkingbiggame，forifyoufollowanyothersystemthebearerswillgetoutofline。Wearrivedwithinthreehundredyardssafelyenough，andthentherealdifficultiesbegan。Thegrasshadbeensocloselyeatenoffbygamethattherewasscarcelyanycover。Consequentlyitwasnecessarytogoontoourhandsandknees，whichinmycaseinvolvedlayingdowntheeight—boreateverystepandthenliftingitupagain。However，Iwriggledalongsomehow，andifithadnotbeenforGoboandhisfriendnodoubteverythingwouldhavegonewell。Butasyouhave，Idaresay，observed，anativeoutstalkingisalwaysofthatmindwhichissupposedtoactuateanostrich——solongashisheadishiddenheseemstothinkthatnothingelsecanbeseen。Soitwasinthisinstance，Goboandtheotherboycreptalongontheirhandsandtoeswiththeirheadswelldown，but，thoughunfortunatelyIdidnotnoticeittilltoolate，bearingthefundamentalportionsoftheirframeshighintheair。Nowallanimalsarequiteassuspiciousofthisendofmankindastheyareofhisface，andofthatfactIsoonhadaproof。Justwhenwehadgotwithinabouttwohundredyards，andIwascongratulatingmyselfthatIhadnothadthislongcrawlwiththesunbeatingonthebackofmynecklikeafurnacefornothing，Iheardthehissingnoteoftherhinocerosbirds，andupflewfourorfiveofthemfromthebrute’sback，wheretheyhadbeencomfortablyemployedincatchingtics。Nowthisperformanceonthepartofthebirdsistoarhinoceroswhattheword’cave’istoaschoolboy——itputshimonthe/quivive/atonce。
　　BeforethebirdswerewellintheairIsawthegrassstir。
　　"’Downyougo，’Iwhisperedtotheboys，andasIdidsotherhinocerosgotupandglaredsuspiciouslyaround。Buthecouldseenothing，indeedifwehadbeenstandingupIdoubtifhewouldhaveseenusatthatdistance；sohemerelygavetwoorthreesniffsandthenlaydown，hisheadstilldownwind，thebirdsoncemoresettlingonhisback。
　　"Butitwascleartomethathewassleepingwithoneeyeopen，beinggenerallyinasuspiciousandunchristianframeofmind，andthatitwasuselesstoproceedfurtheronthisstalk，sowequietlywithdrewtoconsiderthepositionandstudytheground。Theresultswerenotsatisfactory。Therewasabsolutelynocoveraboutexcepttheant—heap，whichwassomethreehundredyardsfromtherhinocerosuponhisup—
　　windside。IknewthatifItriedtostalkhiminfrontIshouldfail，andsoIshouldifIattemptedtodosofromthefurtherside——heorthebirdswouldseeme；soIcametoaconclusion：Iwouldgototheant—heap，whichwouldgivehimmywind，andinsteadofstalkinghimI
　　wouldlethimstalkme。Itwasaboldstep，andonewhichIshouldneveradviseahuntertotake，butsomehowIfeltasthoughrhinoandImustplaythehandout。
　　"Iexplainedmyintentionstothemen，whobothhelduptheirarmsinhorror。Theirfearsformysafetywerealittlemitigated，however，whenItoldthemthatIdidnotexpectthemtocomewithme。
　　"GobobreathedaprayerthatImightnotmeetFatewalkingabout，andtheotheronesincerelytrustedthatmyspiritmightlookmywaywhentherhinoceroscharged，andthentheybothdepartedtoaplaceofsafety。
　　"Takingmyeight—bore，andhalf—a—dozensparecartridgesinmypocket，Imadeadétour，andreachingtheant—heapinsafetylaydown。Foramomentthewindhaddropped，butpresentlyagentlepuffofairpassedoverme，andblewontowardstherhinoceros。Bytheway，Iwonderwhatitisthatsmellssostrongaboutaman？Isithisbodyorhisbreath？
　　Ihaveneverbeenabletomakeout，butIsawitstatedtheotherday，thatintheduckdecoysthemanwhoisworkingtheducksholdsalittlepieceofburningturfbeforehismouth，andthatifhedoesthistheycannotsmellhim，whichlooksasthoughitwerethebreath。
　　Well，whateveritwasaboutmethatattractedhisattention，therhinocerossoonsmeltme，forwithinhalfaminuteafterthepuffofwindhadpassedmehewasonhislegs，andturningroundtogethisheadupwind。Therehestoodforafewsecondsandsniffed，andthenhebegantomove，firstofallatatrot，then，asthescentgrewstronger，atafuriousgallop。Onhecame，snortinglikearunawayengine，withhistailstuckstraightupintheair；ifhehadseenmeliedowntherehecouldnothavemadeabetterline。Itwasrathernervouswork，Icantellyou，lyingtherewaitingforhisonslaught，forhelookedlikeamountainofflesh。Idetermined，however，nottofiretillIcouldplainlyseehiseye，forIthinkthatrulealwaysgivesonetherightdistanceforbiggame；soIrestedmyrifleontheant—heapandwaitedforhim，kneeling。Atlast，whenhewasaboutfortyyardsaway，Isawthatthetimehadcome，andaimingstraightforthemiddleofthechestIpulled。
　　"/Thud/wenttheheavybullet，andwithatremendoussnortoverrolledtherhinocerosbeneathitsshock，justlikeashotrabbit。ButifI
　　hadthoughtthathewasdoneforIwasmistaken，forinanothersecondhewasupagain，andcomingatmeashardasever，onlywithhisheadheldlow。Iwaitedtillhewaswithintenyards，inthehopethathewouldexposehischest，buthewoulddonothingofthesort；soIjusthadtofireathisheadwiththeleftbarrel，andtakemychance。
　　Well，asluckwouldhaveit，ofcoursetheanimalputitshorninthewayofthebullet，whichcutcleanthroughitaboutthreeinchesabovetherootandthenglancedoffintospace。
　　"Afterthatthingsgotratherserious。Mygunwasemptyandtherhinoceroswasrapidlyarriving，sorapidlyindeedthatIcametotheconclusionthatIhadbettermakewayforhim。AccordinglyIjumpedtomyfeetandrantotherightashardasIcouldgo。AsIdidsohearrivedfulltilt，knockedmyfriendlyant—heapflat，andforthethirdtimethatdaywentamostmagnificentcropper。Thisgavemeafewseconds’start，andIrandownwind——myword，Ididrun!
　　Unfortunately，however，mymodestretreatwasobserved，andtherhinoceros，assoonashehadfoundhislegsagain，settoworktorunafterme。Nownomanonearthcanrunsofastasanirritatedrhinoceroscangallop，andIknewthathemustsooncatchmeup。Buthavingsomeslightexperienceofthissortofthing，luckilyformyself，Ikeptmyhead，andasIfledImanagedtoopenmyrifle，gettheoldcartridgesout，andputintwofreshones。TodothisIwasobligedtosteadymypacealittle，andbythetimethatIhadsnappedtherifletoIheardthebeastsnortingandthunderingawaywithinafewpacesofmyback。Istopped，andasIdidsorapidlycockedtherifleandsluedrounduponmyheel。Bythistimethebrutewaswithinsixorsevenyardsofme，butluckilyhisheadwasup。Iliftedtherifleandfiredathim。Itwasasnapshot，butthebulletstruckhiminthechestwithinthreeinchesofthefirst，andfounditswayintohislungs。Itdidnotstophim，however，soallIcoulddowastoboundtooneside，whichIdidwithsurprisingactivity，andashebrushedpastmetofiretheotherbarrelintohisside。Thatdidforhim。Theballpassedinbehindtheshoulderandrightthroughhisheart。Hefelloverontohisside，gaveonemoreawfulsqueal——adozenpigscouldnothavemadesuchanoise——andpromptlydied，keepinghiswickedeyeswideopenallthetime。
　　"Asforme，Iblewmynose，andgoinguptotherhinocerossatonhishead，andreflectedthatIhaddoneacapitalmorning’sshooting。
　　III
　　THEFIRSTROUND
　　"Afterthis，asitwasnowmidday，andIhadkilledenoughmeat，wemarchedbacktriumphantlytocamp，whereIproceededtoconcoctastewofbuffalobeefandcompressedvegetables。Whenthiswasreadyweatethestew，andthenItookanap。Aboutfouro’clock，however，Gobowokemeup，andtoldmethattheheadmanofoneofWambe’skraalshadarrivedtoseeme。Iorderedhimtobebroughtup，andpresentlyhecame，alittle，wizened，talkativeoldman，withawaistclothroundhismiddle，andagreasy，frayedkarossmadeoftheskinsofrockrabbitsoverhisshoulders。
　　"Itoldhimtositdown，andthenabusedhimroundly。’Whatdidhemean，’Iasked，’bydisturbingmeinthisrudeway？Howdidhedaretocauseapersonofmyqualityandevidentimportancetobeawakenedinordertointerviewhisentirelycontemptibleself？’
　　"IspokethusbecauseIknewthatitwouldproduceanimpressiononhim。Nobody，exceptareallygreatman，hewouldargue，woulddaretospeaktohiminthatfashion。Mostsavagesaredesperatebulliesatheart，andlookoninsolenceasasignofpower。
　　"Theoldmaninstantlycollapsed。Hewasutterlyovercome，hesaid；
　　hisheartwassplitintwo，andwellrealizedtheextentofhismisbehaviour。Buttheoccasionwasveryurgent。Heheardthatamightyhunterwasintheneighbourhood，abeautifulwhiteman，howbeautifulhecouldnothaveimaginedhadhenotseen（thistome!），andhecametobeghisassistance。Thetruthwas，thatthreebullelephantssuchasnomaneversawhadforyearsbeentheterroroftheirkraal，whichwasbutasmallplace——acattlekraalofthegreatchiefWambe’s，wheretheylivedtokeepthecattle。Andnowoflatetheseelephantshaddonethemmuchdamage；butlastnighttheyhaddestroyedawholepatchofmealieland，andhefearedthatiftheycamebacktheywouldallstarvenextseasonforwantoffood。Wouldthemightywhitemanthenbepleasedtocomeandkilltheelephants？Itwouldbeeasyforhimtodo——oh，mosteasy!Itwasonlynecessarythatheshouldhidehimselfinatree，fortherewasafullmoon，andthenwhentheelephantsappearedhewouldspeaktothemwiththegun，andtheywouldfalldowndead，andtherewouldbeanendoftheirtroubling。
　　"OfcourseIhummedandhawed，andmadeagreatfavourofconsentingtohisproposal，thoughreallyIwasdelightedtohavesuchachance。
　　OneoftheconditionsthatImadewasthatamessengershouldatoncebedespatchedtoWambe，whosekraalwastwodays’journeyfromwhereI
　　was，tellinghimthatIproposedtocomeandpaymyrespectstohiminafewdays，andtoaskhisformalpermissiontoshootinhiscountry。
　　AlsoIintimatedthatIwaspreparedtopresenthimwith’hongo，’thatis，blackmail，andthatIhopedtodoalittletradewithhiminivory，ofwhichIheardhehadagreatquantity。
　　"Thismessagetheoldgentlemanpromisedtodespatchatonce，thoughtherewassomethingabouthismannerwhichshowedmethathewasdoubtfulastohowitwouldbereceived。Afterthatwestruckourcampandmovedontothekraal，whichwereachedaboutanhourbeforesunset。Thiskraalwasacollectionofhutssurroundedbyaslightthorn—fence，perhapsthereweretenoftheminall。Itwassituatedinakloofofthemountaindownwhicharivuletflowed。Thekloofwasdenselywooded，butforsomedistanceabovethekraalitwasfreefrombush，andhereontherichdeepgroundbroughtdownbytherivuletwerethecultivatedlands，inextentsomewhereabouttwentyortwenty—
　　fiveacres。Onthekraalsideoftheselandsstoodasinglehut，thatservedforamealiestore，whichatthemomentwasusedasadwelling—
　　placebyanoldwoman，thefirstwifeofourfriendtheheadman。
　　"Itappearsthatthislady，havinghadsomedifferenceofopinionwithherhusbandabouttheextentofauthorityallowedtoayoungerandmoreamiablewife，hadrefusedtodwellinthekraalanymore，and，bywayofmarkingherdispleasure，hadtakenupherabodeamongthemealies。Astheissuewillshow，shewas，ithappened，cuttingoffhernosetospiteherface。
　　"Closebythishutgrewalargebaobabtree。Aglanceatthemealiegroundsshowedmethattheoldheadmanhadnotexaggeratedthemischiefdonebytheelephantstohiscrops，whichwerenowgettingripe。Nearlyhalfoftheentirepatchwasdestroyed。Thegreatbruteshadeatenalltheycould，andtheresttheyhadtrampleddown。Iwentuptotheirspoorandstartedbackinamazement——neverhadIseensuchaspoorbefore。Itwassimplyenormous，moreespeciallythatofoneoldbull，thatcarried，sosaidthenatives，butasingletusk。Onemighthaveusedanyofthefootprintsforahip—bath。
　　"Havingtakenstockoftheposition，mynextstepwastomakearrangementsforthefray。Thethreebulls，accordingtothenatives，hadbeenspooredintothedensepatchofbushabovethekloof。Nowitseemedtomeveryprobablethattheywouldreturnto—nighttofeedontheremainderoftheripeningmealies。Ifso，therewasabrightmoon，anditstruckmethatbytheexerciseofalittleingenuityImightbagoneormoreofthemwithoutexposingmyselftoanyrisk，which，havingthehighestrespectfortheaggressivepowersofbullelephants，wasagreatconsiderationtome。
　　"Thisthenwasmyplan。Totherightofthehutsasyoulookupthekloof，andcommandingthemealielands，standsthebaobabtreethatI
　　havementioned。IntothatbaobabtreeImadeupmymindtogo。TheniftheelephantsappearedIshouldgetashotatthem。Iannouncedmyintentionstotheheadmanofthekraal，whowasdelighted。’Now，’hesaid，’hispeoplemightsleepinpeace，forwhilethemightywhitehuntersataloftlikeaspiritwatchingoverthewelfareofhiskraalwhatwastheretofear？’
　　"Itoldhimthathewasanungratefulbrutetothinkofsleepinginpeacewhile，perchedlikeawoundedvultureonatree，Iwatchedforhiswelfareinwakefulsorrow；andoncemorehecollapsed，andownedthatmywordswere’sharpbutjust。’
　　"However，asIhavesaid，confidencewascompletelyrestored；andthateveningeverybodyinthekraal，includingthesuperannuatedvictimofjealousyinthelittlehutwherethemealiecobswerestored，wenttobedwithasenseofsweetsecurityfromelephantsandallotheranimalsthatprowlbynight。
　　"Formypart，Ipitchedmycampbelowthekraal；andthen，havingprocuredabeamofwoodfromtheheadman——ratherarottenone，bytheway——Isetitacrosstwoboughsthatranoutlaterallyfromthebaobabtree，ataheightofabouttwenty—fivefeetfromtheground，insuchfashionthatIandanothermancouldsituponitwithourlegshangingdown，andrestourbacksagainsttheboleofthetree。ThisdoneI
　　wentbacktothecampandatemysupper。Aboutnineo’clock，half—an—
　　hourbeforethemoon—rise，IsummonedGobo，who，thinkingthathehadseenaboutenoughofthedelightsofbiggamehuntingforthatday，didnotaltogetherrelishthejob；and，despitehisremonstrances，gavehimmyeight—boretocarry，Ihavingthe。570—express。Thenwesetoutforthetree。Itwasverydark，butwefounditwithoutdifficulty，thoughclimbingitwasamorecomplicatedmatter。However，atlastwegotupandsatdown，liketwolittleboysonaformthatistoohighforthem，andwaited。Ididnotdaretosmoke，becauseI
　　rememberedtherhinoceros，andfearedthattheelephantsmightwindthetobaccoiftheyshouldcomemyway，andthismadethebusinessmorewearisome，soIfelltothinkingandwonderingatthecompletenessofthesilence。
　　"Atlastthemooncameup，andwithitamoaningwind，atthebreathofwhichthesilencebegantowhispermysteriously。Lonelyenoughinthenewbornlightlookedthewideexpanseofmountain，plain，andforest，morelikesomevisionofadream，somereflectionfromafairworldofpeacebeyondourken，thanthemerefaceofgarishearthmadesoftwithsleep。Indeed，haditnotbeenforthefactthatIwasbeginningtofindthelogonwhichIsatveryhard，Ishouldhavegrownquitesentimentaloverthebeautifulsight；butIwilldefyanybodytobecomesentimentalwhenseatedinthedamp，onaveryroughbeamofwood，andhalf—wayupatree。SoImerelymadeamentalnotethatitwasaparticularlylovelynight，andturnedmyattentiontotheprospectofelephants。Butnoelephantscame，andafterwaitingforanotherhourorso，Ithinkthatwhatbetweenwearinessanddisgust，Imusthavedroppedintoagentledoze。PresentlyIawokewithastart。Gobo，whowasperchedclosetome，butasfaroffasthebeamwouldallow——forneitherwhitemannorblacklikethearomawhicheachvowsisthepeculiaranddisagreeablepropertyoftheother——wasfaintly，veryfaintlyclickinghisforefingeragainsthisthumb。I
　　knewbythissignal，averyfavouriteoneamongnativehuntersandgun—bearers，thathemusthaveseenorheardsomething。Ilookedathisface，andsawthathewasstaringexcitedlytowardsthedimedgeofthebushbeyondthedeepgreenlineofmealies。Istaredtoo，andlistened。PresentlyIheardasoftlargesoundasthoughagiantweregentlystretchingouthishandsandpressingbacktheearsofstandingcorn。Thencameapause，andthen，outintotheopenmajesticallystalkedthelargestelephantIeversaworevershallsee。Heavens!
　　whatamonsterhewas；andhowthemoonlightgleameduponhisonesplendidtusk——fortheotherwasmissing——ashestoodamongthemealiesgentlymovinghisenormousearstoandfro，andtestingthewindwithhistrunk。WhileIwasstillmarvellingathisgirth，andspeculatingupontheweightofthathugetusk，whichIsworeshouldbemytuskbeforeverylong，outsteppedasecondbullandstoodbesidehim。Hewasnotquitesotall，butheseemedtometobealmostthicker—setthanthefirst；andeveninthatlightIcouldseethatbothhistuskswereperfect。Anotherpause，andthethirdemerged。Hewasshorterthaneitheroftheothers，buthigherintheshoulderthanNo。2；andwhenItellyou，asIafterwardslearntfromactualmeasurement，thatthesmallestofthesemightybullsmeasuredtwelvefeetoneandahalfinchesattheshoulder，itwillgiveyousomeideaoftheirsize。Thethreeformedintolineandstoodstillforaminute，theone—tuskedbullgentlycaressingtheelephantontheleftwithhistrunk。
　　"Thentheybegantofeed，walkingforwardandslightlytotherightastheygatheredgreatbunchesofthesweetmealiesandthrustthemintotheirmouths。Allthistimetheyweremorethanahundredandtwentyyardsawayfromme（thisIknew，becauseIhadpacedthedistancesfromthetreetovariouspoints），muchtoofartoallowofmyattemptingashotattheminthatuncertainlight。Theyfedinasemicircle，graduallydrawingroundtowardsthehutnearmytree，inwhichthecornwasstoredandtheoldwomanslept。
　　"Thiswentonforbetweenanhourandanhourandahalf，till，whatbetweenexcitementandhope，thatmakeththeheartsick，IgrewsowearythatIwasactuallycontemplatingadescentfromthetreeandamoonlightstalk。Suchanactingroundsoopenwouldhavebeenthatofastarkstaringlunatic，andthatIshouldevenhavebeencontemplatingitwillshowyoutheconditionofmymind。Buteverythingcomestohimwhoknowshowtowait，andsometimestootohimwhodoesn’t，andsoatlastthoseelephants，orratheroneofthem，cametome。
　　"Aftertheyhadfedtheirfill，whichwasaverylargeone，thenoblethreestoodoncemoreinlinesomeseventyyardstotheleftofthehut，andontheedgeofthecultivatedlands，orinallabouteighty—
　　fiveyardsfromwhereIwasperched。Thenatlasttheonewithasingletuskmadeapeculiarrattlingnoiseinhistrunk，justasthoughhewereblowinghisnose，andwithoutmoreadobegantowalkdeliberatelytowardthehutwheretheoldwomanslept。Imademyriflereadyandglancedupatthemoon，onlytodiscoverthatanewcomplicationwasloomingintheimmediatefuture。Ihavesaidthatawindrosewiththemoon。Well，thewindbroughtrain—cloudsalongitstrack。Severallightoneshadalreadylessenedthelightforalittlewhile，thoughwithoutobscuringit，andnowtwomorewerecominguprapidly，bothofthemveryblackanddense。Thefirstcloudwassmallandlong，andtheonebehindbigandbroad。Iremembernoticingthatthepairofthemboreamostcomicalresemblancetoadraydrawnbyaverylongraw—bonedhorse。Asluckwouldhaveit，justastheelephantarrivedwithintwenty—fiveyardsorsoofme，theheadofthehorse—
　　cloudfloatedoverthefaceofthemoon，renderingitimpossibleformetofire。Inthefainttwilightwhichremained，however，Icouldjustmakeoutthegraymassofthegreatbrutestilladvancingtowardsthehut。ThenthelightwentaltogetherandIhadtotrusttomyears。
　　Iheardhimfumblingwithhistrunk，apparentlyattheroofofthehut；nextcameasoundasofstrawbeingdrawnout，andthenforalittlewhiletherewascompletesilence。
　　"Thecloudbegantopass；Icouldseetheoutlineoftheelephant；hewasstandingwithhisheadquiteoverthetopofthehut。ButIcouldnotseehistrunk，andnowonder，foritwas/insidethehut/。Hehadthrustitthroughtheroof，and，attractednodoubtbythesmellofthemealies，wasgropingaboutwithitinside。Itwasgrowinglightnow，andIgotmyrifleready，whensuddenlytherewasamostawfulyell，andIsawthetrunkreappear，andinitsmightyfoldtheoldwomanwhohadbeensleepinginthehut。Outshecamethroughtheholelikeaperiwinkleonthepointofapin，stillwrappedupinherblanket，andwithherskinnyarmsandlegsstretchedtothefourpointsofthecompass，andasshedidso，gavethatmostalarmingscreech。Ireallydon’tknowwhowasthemostfrightened，she，orI，ortheelephant。Atanyratethelastwasconsiderablystartled；hehadbeenfishingformealies——theoldwomanwasamereaccident，andonethatgreatlydiscomposedhisnerves。Hegaveasortoftrumpet，andthrewherawayfromhimrightintothecrownofalowmimosatree，whereshestuckshriekinglikeametropolitanengine。Theoldbullliftedhistail，andflappinghisgreatearspreparedforflight。I
　　putupmyeight—bore，andaiminghastilyatthepointofhisshoulder（forhewasbroadsideon），Ifired。Thereportrangoutlikethunder，makingathousandechoesinthequiethills。Isawhimgodownallofaheapasthoughhewerestonedead。Then，alas!whetheritwasthekickoftheheavyrifle，ortheexcitedbumpofthatidiotGobo，orbothtogether，ormerelyanunhappycoincidence，Idonotknow，buttherottenbeambrokeandIwentdowntoo，landingflatatthefootofthetreeuponacertainhumbleportionofthehumanframe。TheshockwassoseverethatIfeltasthoughallmyteethwereflyingthroughtheroofofmymouth，butalthoughIsatslightlystunnedforafewseconds，luckilyformeIfelllight，andwasnotinanywayinjured。
　　"Meanwhiletheelephantbegantoscreamwithfearandfury，and，attractedbyhiscries，theothertwochargedup。Ifeltformyrifle；
　　itwasnotthere。ThenIrememberedthatIhadresteditonaforkoftheboughinordertofire，anddoubtlessthereitremained。Mypositionwasnowveryunpleasant。Ididnotdaretotryandclimbthetreeagain，which，shakenasIwas，wouldhavebeenataskofsomedifficulty，becausetheelephantswouldcertainlyseeme，andGobo，whohadclungtoabough，wasstillaloftwiththeotherrifle。I
　　couldnotrunbecausetherewasnoshelternear。UnderthesecircumstancesIdidtheonlythingfeasible，clamberedroundthetrunkassoftlyaspossible，andkeepingoneeyeontheelephants，whisperedtoGobotobringdowntherifle，andawaitedthedevelopmentofthesituation。Iknewthatiftheelephantsdidnotseeme——which，luckily，theyweretooenragedtodo——theywouldnotsmellme，forI
　　wasup—wind。Gobo，however，eitherdidnot，or，preferringthesafetyofthetree，wouldnothearme。Hesaidtheformer，butIbelievedthelatter，forIknewthathewasnotenoughofasportsmantoreallyenjoyshootingelephantsbymoonlightintheopen。SothereIwasbehindmytree，dismayed，unarmed，buthighlyinterested，forIwaswitnessingaremarkableperformance。
　　"Whenthetwootherbullsarrivedthewoundedelephantonthegroundceasedtoscream，butbegantomakealowmoaningnoise，andtogentlytouchthewoundnearhisshoulder，fromwhichthebloodwasliterallyspouting。Theothertwoseemedtounderstand；atanyrate，theydidthis。Kneelingdownoneitherside，theyplacedtheirtrunksandtusksunderneathhim，and，aidedbyhisownefforts，withonegreatliftgothimontohisfeet。Thenleaningagainsthimoneithersidetosupporthim，theymarchedoffatawalkinthedirectionofthevillage。[*]Itwasapitifulsight，andeventhenitmademefeelabrute。
　　[*]TheEditorwouldhavebeeninclinedtothinkthatinrelatingthisincidentMr。Quatermainwasmakinghimselfinterestingattheexpenseoftheexacttruth，diditnothappenthatasimilarincidenthascomewithinhisknowledge。——Editor。
　　"Presently，fromawalk，asthewoundedelephantgatheredhimselftogetheralittle，theybrokeintoatrot，andafterthatIcouldfollowthemnolongerwithmyeyes，forthesecondblackcloudcameupoverthemoonandputherout，asanextinguisherputsoutadip。I
　　saywithmyeyes，butmyearsgavemeaveryfairnotionofwhatwasgoingon。Whenthecloudcameupthethreeterrifiedanimalswereheadingdirectlyforthekraal，probablybecausethewaywasopenandthepatheasy。Ifancythattheygrewconfusedinthedarkness，forwhentheycametothekraalfencetheydidnotturnaside，butcrashedstraightthroughit。Thentherewere’times，’astheIrishservant—
　　girlsaysintheAmericanbook。Havingtakenthefence，theythoughtthattheymightaswelltakethekraalalso，sotheyjustranoverit。
　　Onehive—shapedhutwasturnedquiteoverontoitstop，andwhenI
　　arriveduponthescenethepeoplewhohadbeensleepingtherewerebumblingaboutinsidelikebeesdisturbedatnight，whiletwomorewerecrushedflat，andathirdhadallitssidetornout。Oddlyenough，however，nobodywashurt，thoughseveralpeoplehadanarrowescapeofbeingtroddentodeath。
　　"OnarrivalIfoundtheoldheadmaninastatepainfullylikethatfavouredbyGreekart，dancingaboutinfrontofhisruinedabodesasvigorouslyasthoughhehadjustbeenstungbyascorpion。
　　"Iaskedhimwhatailedhim，andheburstoutintoafloodofabuse。
　　HecalledmeaWizard，aSham，aFraud，aBringerofbadluck!Ihadpromisedtokilltheelephants，andIhadsoarrangedthingsthattheelephantshadnearlykilledhim，etc。
　　"This，stillsmarting，orratheraching，asIwasfromthatmostterrificbump，wastoomuchformyfeelings，soIjustmadearushatmyfriend，andgettinghimbytheear，Ibangedhisheadagainstthedoorwayofhisownhut，whichwasallthatwasleftofit。
　　"’Youwickedoldscoundrel，’Isaid，’youdaretocomplainaboutyourowntriflinginconveniences，whenyougavemearottenbeamtositon，andtherebydeliveredmetothefuryoftheelephant’（/bump!bump!
　　bump!/），’whenyourownwife’（/bump!/）’hasjustbeendraggedoutofherhut’（/bump!/）’likeasnailfromitsshell，andthrownbytheEarth—shakerintoatree’（/bump!bump!/）。
　　"’Mercy，myfather，mercy!’gaspedtheoldfellow。’TrulyIhavedoneamiss——myhearttellsmeso。’
　　"’Ishouldhopeitdid，youoldvillain’（/bump!/）。
　　"’Mercy，greatwhiteman!Ithoughtthelogwassound。Butwhatsaystheunequalledchief——istheoldwoman，mywife，indeeddead？Ah，ifsheisdeadallmayyetprovetohavebeenfortheverybest；’andheclaspedhishandsandlookeduppiouslytoheaven，inwhichthemoonwasoncemoreshiningbrightly。
　　"Iletgohisearandburstoutlaughing，thewholesceneandhisdevoutaspirationsforthedeceaseofthepartnerofhisjoys，orratherwoes，weresointenselyridiculous。
　　"’No，youoldiniquity，’Ianswered；’Ileftherinthetopofathorn—tree，screaminglikeathousandbluejays。Theelephantputherthere。’
　　"’Alas!alas!’hesaid，’surelythebackoftheoxisshapedtotheburden。Doubtless，myfather，shewillcomedownwhensheistired；’
　　andwithouttroublinghimselffurtheraboutthematter，hebegantoblowatthesmoulderingembersofthefire。
　　"And，asamatteroffact，shedidappearafewminuteslater，considerablyscratchedandstartled，butnonetheworse。
　　"AfterthatImademywaytomylittlecamp，which，fortunately，theelephantshadnotwalkedover，andwrappingmyselfupinablanket，wassoonfastasleep。
　　"Andsoendedmyfirstroundwiththosethreeelephants。
　　IV
　　THELASTROUND
　　"OnthemorrowIwokeupfullofpainfulrecollections，andnotwithoutacertainfeelingofgratitudetothePowersabovethatIwastheretowakeup。Yesterdayhadbeenatempestuousday；indeed，whatbetweenbuffalo，rhinoceros，andelephant，ithadbeenverytempestuous。Havingrealizedthisfact，Inextbethoughtmeofthosemagnificenttusks，andinstantly，earlyasitwas，brokethetenthcommandment。Icovetedmyneighbourstusks，ifanelephantcouldbesaidtobemyneighbour/dejure/，ascertainly，sorecentlyasthepreviousnight，hehadbeen/defacto/——amuchcloserneighbourthanI
　　caredfor，indeed。Nowwhenyoucovetyourneighbour’sgoods，thebestthing，ifnotthemostmoralthing，todoistoenterhishouseasastrongmanarmed，andtakethem。Iwasnotastrongman，buthavingrecoveredmyeight—boreIwasarmed，andsowastheotherstrongman——
　　theelephantwiththetusks。ConsequentlyIpreparedforastruggletothedeath。Inotherwords，Isummonedmyfaithfulretainers，andtoldthemthatIwasnowgoingtofollowthoseelephantstotheedgeoftheworld，ifnecessary。Theyshowedacertainbashfulnessaboutthebusiness，buttheydidnotgainsayme，becausetheydarednot。EversinceIhadpreparedwithallduesolemnitytoexecutetherebelliousGobotheyhadconceivedagreatrespectforme。
　　"SoIwentuptobidadieutotheoldheadman，whomIfoundalternatelycontemplatingtheruinsofhiskraaland，withtheableassistanceofhislastwife，thrashingthejealousladywhohadsleptinthemealiehut，becauseshewas，ashedeclared，thefountofallhissorrows。
　　"Leavingthemtoworkawaythroughtheirdomesticdifferences，I
　　leviedasupplyofvegetablefoodfromthekraalinconsiderationofservicesrendered，andleftthemwithmyblessing。Idonotknowhowtheysettledmatters，becauseIhavenotseenthemsince。
　　"ThenIstartedonthespoorofthethreebulls。Foracoupleofmilesorsobelowthekraal——asfar，indeed，asthebeltofswampthatborderstheriver——thegroundisatthisspotratherstony，andclothedwithscatteredbushes。Rainhadfallentowardsthedaybreak，andthisfact，togetherwiththenatureofthesoil，madespooringaverydifficultbusiness。Thewoundedbullhadindeedbledfreely，buttherainhadwashedthebloodofftheleavesandgrass，andthegroundbeingsoroughandharddidnottakethefootmarkssoclearlyaswasconvenient。However，wegotalong，thoughslowly，partlybythespoor，andpartlybycarefullyliftingleavesandbladesofgrass，andfindingbloodunderneaththem，forthebloodgushingfromawoundedanimaloftenfallsupontheirinnersurfaces，andthen，ofcourse，unlesstherainisveryheavy，itisnotwashedaway。Ittookussomethingoveranhourandahalftoreachtheedgeofthemarsh，butoncethereourtaskbecamemucheasier，forthesoftsoilshowedplentifulevidencesofthegreatbrutes’passage。Threadingourwaythroughtheswampyland，wecameatlasttoafordoftheriver，andherewecouldseewherethepoorwoundedanimalhadlaindowninthemudandwaterinthehopeofeasinghimselfofhispain，andcouldseealsohowhistwofaithfulcompanionshadassistedhimtoriseagain。
　　Wecrossedtheford，andtookupthespooronthefurtherside，andfolloweditintothemarsh—likelandbeyond。Norainhadfallenonthissideoftheriver，andtheblood—markswereconsequentlymuchmorefrequent。