Part 65 (1/2)

It was for the lower end of the lake the kobaoba wasplace

There was a point where the water was easier of access than elsewhere--a little to one side of where the wash or waste-streaht sandy beach, and approachable froe, hollowed out, no doubt, by the long usage of those ani this cove, the tallest aniood botto The kobaoba came on in a direct line for the lake; and as he drew near, they could see hie that led into the little cove It proved he had been there before

Next ap, and stood knee-deep in the water

After sing several copious draughts--now sneezing, and then wheezing--he plunged his broad snout, horn and all, into the water, tossed it till it foa

The place was shallow, and h there was deep enough water in the lake to have given hiht of Von Bloom, as well as of Hendrik, was how to ”circumvent” the rhinoceros, and of course destroy him Not that they simply wished his destruction; but Swartboy had already represented what fine food the species was, and there was no stock of provision in ca the death of the creature He wanted a new loading-rod for his rifle; and he had gazed covetously at the kobaoba's long horn

But it was easier to desire the death of the rhinoceros than to accomplish it They had no horses--at least, none that could be ah to ireat spike, or else trae feet If he did not do one or the other, he would easily make his escape--as any kind of rhinoceros can outrun a e hiet near--fire at him frole bullet sometimes kills the rhinoceros--but only when correctly placed, so as to penetrate the heart, or some other of the ”vitals”

This was, probably, the best plan They h

There was some bush cover close to the spot It was probable the old kobaoba would not perceive them, if they approached from leeward, particularly as he seemed in the full tide of enjoyment at that moot to their feet for that purpose, when a sudden fit see over the ground, at the sa in a low voice,--

”Da klow! da klow!”

A stranger would have fancied Swartboy in a fit, but Von Bloom knew that by ”Da klow! da klow!” the Bushman meant ”The elephant! the elephant!”

and therefore looked in the direction in which Swartboy was pointing

Sure enough, upon the western plain, looainst the yellow sky, was a dark mass, that upon examination presented the outlines of an elephant Its rounded back was easily distinguished over the low bushes; and its broad hanging ears weretowards the lake, and almost in the same track that the rhinoceros had taken

Of course this new apparition quite disarranged the plans of the hunters At sight of the ht to the kobaoba Not that they had forantic anih their minds They had deterree upon any plan, however, the elephant had got up to the edge of the lake Thoughonly at a sloalk, with his iround, and advanced much more rapidly than one would have supposed The hunters had scarce tie creature was up within a few yards of the water

Here he halted, pointed his proboscis in different directions, stood quite silent, and seemed to listen

There was no noise to disturb him--even the kobaoba for the e creature e already described

They at the camp had now a full view of him, at less than three hundred yards distant An ie fro racefully upward He was an ”old bull,”

as Swartboy whispered

Up to this tihtest intimation of the elephant's approach; for the tread of the latter--big beast as he is--is as silent as a cat's It is true that a loud ru noise like distant thunder proceeded froh a caper just then to have heard or noticed any sound that was not very near and distinct

The huge body of the elephant co its dark shadow over the vley, was distinct enough, and caused the kobaoba to get to his feet with an agility quite surprising for a creature of his build

At the sarunt and a whistle escaped him, as the water was ejected from his nostrils