Jack was more fortunate, for he bagged his elephant—one of the bulls—and had about as lively a time in getting him as I had with mine. In some respects it was livelier, as he was pitched from his horse while the elephant was chasing him, and the great beast actually passed within two feet of where Jack was lying at the side of the path. The horse caught his foot in a hole and stumbled, throwing his rider to the ground; he was up on his feet in an instant and off to one side, while Jack crawled or rolled out of the path along which the elephant was coming. The animal had such a momentum that he could not stop, and after getting by he seemed to regard the horse as his principal assailant and followed him for a hundred yards or so. Then he gave up the chase and proceeded in the direction of his companions.
Jack's horse was a wonderfully docile creature; when the elephant ceased following him he stopped and waited for his master's call. Jack whistled, and the intelligent animal ran to him at once. My friend gathered up his gun, remounted, and was immediately off like the wind in pursuit of his tusker, which he soon laid low.
We spent the evening in telling the stories of our adventures during the day and laying our plans for the morrow. What they were the reader will learn in the next chapter.
CHAPTER IX.
A MORNING CALL IN SOUTH AFRICA—LADIES AT HOME—HOW MISS
BOLAND KILLED A LION.
It was decided that we would go in pursuit of a herd of buffaloes which was reported to be in the locality where I met our amazonian rivals in the hunting-field. It is hardly necessary to say that the buffaloes were not the only attraction that drew us in that direction.
We were off in good season after breakfast, and accompanied by the usual party of followers. We went on horse-back, and—for the benefit of the buffaloes, of course—we had our clothing carefully dusted and our hair arranged as much after the style of London or New York as is possible for a hunter in South African wilds. It may not make any difference to a buffalo how the person who kills him is habited and groomed, and up to this time we had given very little thought to the subject; now our views were materially changed, and one of my friends suggested that it was a pity we had not brought our dress suits along.
Our attendants were off a good half-hour ahead of us. We mounted our horses and followed the same general course that we had taken on our last buffalo and eland hunt. When we reached the ground where the buffaloes were said to be, Harry and Jack went in pursuit of them, while I held my course farther to the westward, where the Kafirs said the hunting-women were encamped.
The forenoon is not fashionable calling-time in London or New York, but people are not so particular in South Africa. If one does not make it too early a forenoon call is just as proper here as an afternoon one. Of course if it is not convenient to see the caller when he arrives he can be put off with the polite fiction, "Not at home," just as easily in one part of the world as in another.
I did not have any card to send in, and when I came in sight of the camp I sent forward my after-rider to announce that Mr. Manson was coming. The after-rider went in at a gallop, thus drawing general attention upon himself and evoking a great deal of noise from several dogs that belonged to the outfit. It was certainly enough to rouse the camp and make everybody in it aware that a visitor was approaching.