One hour after I left our camp, and as I was walking along the bank of the river, I spied, on the opposite side, a big bull elephant by himself, evidently old, and the kind that is called by the natives a "rogue elephant." The big beast was looking at the water, as if he had not made up his mind to cross the river or not, or to take a bath. After some hesitation he plunged into the river. The sun was very hot. He threw water with his trunk in the air. He took his bath leisurely, then began to swim across to a sandy island, upon which he landed, then stood still for a few moments. He had all the appearance of a "rogue elephant." I did not like his looks, and I was sure he would charge if not killed on the spot. I looked at Bull-dog carefully, and made sure that the steel-pointed bullets were near. I kept watching the beast, hidden by the thick jungle, when suddenly he lay down and began to roll himself in the sand. This was his sand bath, and he seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. Then he got up, stood still for a while, and suddenly plunged into the water and swam in my direction. I saw that he would land about opposite to where I stood. "Goodness gracious!" said I to myself, "I am in a pretty fix; I have no choice of position; I have to face the huge beast, and I must aim right between his eyes before he lands."
"I TOOK AIM RIGHT BETWEEN HIS EYES AND FIRED."
I placed myself by a big tree, which could protect me in case the elephant charged.
I took aim right between his two eyes, and fired, reserving the other shot. When I fired he was on the point of landing. As the bullet struck him he gave a shrill cry; then he landed and charged. I dodged by going to the other side of the tree, and well I did, for as he passed the tree he moved his trunk in my direction. Then he disappeared, and I heard a big crash in the jungle, and all became silent. I went in that direction, but looked very sharp, and then I saw the huge beast breathing his last. I approached very carefully, for I was not sure that he had not strength enough at sight of me to get up and charge. I did not want to waste more of my steel-pointed bullets. I waited for a while; the elephant kept still; then I ventured nearer and I found that he was dead.
Okili, who had heard the report of the gun, started down the stream with a raft he had made, and gave a war-whoop when he saw me by the shore. Soon after he was in sight of the big rogue elephant. We cut his tail off as a trophy, and went back to the camp, for Ogoola and Niamkala were to be with us that day.
There was great rejoicing with the animal. They were hardly seated when Okili said to them, "We have great news to tell you."
"What is it?" they said, with great eagerness.
"The Moguizi has killed this morning a rogue elephant; there is his tail."
Paul du Chaillu.