The two elephants were moving along what seemed to be a narrow path
leading to the maize-field, or the kraal beyond it. They were in no
great haste, but going as though conscious that a favourite article of
food was near, and that they were pretty sure of obtaining it.
"When once they get engaged upon the corn," said Hendrik, "they are
ours. They won't notice us, and we shall have an opportunity for
getting a good shot."
Suddenly one of the elephants--the foremost one--was seen to sink into
the earth! The other stopped for a moment, as though endeavouring to
comprehend the cause of his companion's disappearance. It then turned
round and commenced carefully treading the back track.
"A pit," exclaimed Hendrik. "One of the elephants has gone down into a
pit."
"On, on! let us kill the other," shouted Groot Willem, as he urged his
gigantic horse into a gallop. Hendrik and Arend galloped after.
The retreating elephant was apparently in no haste to get out of their
way, but moved leisurely along.
When the three youths were within a hundred yards of it, uttering a
trumpet-like sound, it turned and charged toward them. Expecting
something of the kind, they were not unprepared. Groot Willem instantly
brought the roer to his shoulder and fired.
The loud report of the gun was accompanied by the sharp cracks of the
two rifles carried by his companions. Hendrik and Arend wheeled their
horses to the right; Willem turned to the left, and the huge monster
rushed between them.
For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first. Had the
three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an
instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and
gaining a start upon their pursuer.
"The pit! the pit!" shouted Hendrik. "Ride for the pit!"
His command was instantly obeyed.
The elephant turned, and, observing the direction of their retreat,
continued to pursue them; but in a slow, leisurely way, as though not
wholly decided whether to follow them or not. At that instant was heard
a loud prolonged bellowing,--the voice of an elephant in the agony of
despair. It proceeded from the pit.
The pursuer instantly came to a stand. The cry of its companion in
distress awoke a feeling more human than that of revenge. It was
fear,--a fear that seemed to control its power of reasoning, since it
immediately turned tail and retreated from the danger that had befallen
its friend. While making its retreat, it appeared to choose the tracks
made by the horses in approaching the spot; as though instinct
admonished it that by so doing it would avoid any pitfalls that might be
constructed on the plain.
"After him! Follow him up," cried Arend. "Hans is in danger."
Only a short while was spent in reloading their guns; then, urging their
horses to the greatest speed, they galloped after the elephant.
Hans and his dusky companions had not been uninterested spectators of
the actions of the others, and now saw that they would soon be called
upon to become actors in a similar scene. The elephant was rushing
rapidly down upon them, but the thought of flight only arose in their
minds to be immediately dismissed. The pack-horses must be defended at
all cost; and the young botanist, bidding Swartboy and Congo look after
them, rode out in front to meet the advancing foe.
He was mounted on a horse that would not stand quiet for two seconds at
a time; and as his life might depend on the correctness of his aim, he
dismounted for the purpose of firing. His horse, released, galloped
away from his side. The wounded elephant was not more than fifty paces
off, and now turned in pursuit of the horse, apparently without seeing
the enemy it should have feared most.
This was the opportunity for Hans, and he did not allow it to escape
him. Steadily raising the gun to his shoulder, he aimed at the huge
creature, just behind its fore leg, as the latter was thrown forward in
the stride. On shambled the enraged monster with a deafening roar.
The other horses had already broken from the control of their keepers,
and were galloping in different directions. A few long stretches and
the tusks of the elephant were close upon Congo's steed, which chanced
to be crossing the line of pursuit at right angles. In another instant
the horse was tossed into the air, and, passing six or eight feet high
above the monster's back, fell heavily upon the ground behind it. But
the Kaffir had slid out of the saddle and stood upon the ground
unharmed.
The effort made in destroying the horse was the last the wounded
elephant was able to perform. The dogs were clustering upon its heels;
and as it reeled wildly about to get at them, it seemed to grow giddy,
and at length fell heavily along the earth.
"I do believe," said Hendrik, who at this moment rode up along with
Willem and Arend,--"yes, I'm quite certain that the dogs think they have
dragged that elephant down!"
"Den they is as big an ole fool as Congo," said Swartboy who was annoyed
at the fact that the Kaffir had just performed a feat for which he would
receive the approbation of his young masters. Congo only answered with
a smile. He had again aroused the jealousy of his rival, and was
satisfied.
The elephant, which proved to be a very large bull, expired a few
minutes after falling. Its tusks were over five feet in length, and to
Swartboy was given the task of extracting them.
The horse ridden by Congo was of course no longer available; and the
lading of another had to be distributed amongst the remaining
pack-horses, to provide the Kaffir with a mount. The spot was soon
deserted.
Hendrik, Groot Willem, and Arend, were anxious to be off to the pit,
into which the other elephant had fallen, having never seen one caught
in that way before.
"Hans," inquired Hendrik, "will you look after everything here, or will
you come along with us?"
"O, I prefer staying," said the quiet Hans. "Perhaps by doing so I may
again come in for the lion's share of the sport, as I have just now."
"We must take Congo along with us," suggested Arend. "It is certain
there will be some of the natives at the pit. We saw several houses
near the maize-field, and there is no doubt a large kraal."
"Yes, come with us, Congo," commanded his master, as he rode off,
followed by all the others except the good-natured Hans and his servant
Swartboy, who usually came in for the biggest share of the business,
while the others appropriated the amusement.