"The elephants must have gone far away," said Okili. "Their leader, the big bull elephant we have killed, is not with them to direct them. The other bull elephants in the herd were too young. Some big bull elephant will scent them, and then become their leader. We had better leave their tracks and follow one of the hunting-paths. I know the path will lead us to the place where we are to meet Ogoola and Niamkala."
We slept in the woods, surrounded by big blazing fires. The following day, towards evening, after walking without intermission for twelve hours, with the exception of half an hour for our noon meal, we reached the shore of a little river, and came to the big koola-tree where we were to meet Ogoola and Niamkala. Okili and I were delighted to see so many koola nuts on the ground, for both of us were very fond of koola nuts.
We built our camp at some distance from the big koola-tree, and lighted big fires, then lay upon our backs and put the soles of our sore and lame feet as near the fire as we could. It is wonderful how this great heat takes away the soreness.
The next morning I thought I would take a stroll by myself and look for elephants, as Okili was not feeling very well.
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."