But they waited with confidence-- as they knew that in turning to get out of the water, he would have to present his side towards them.
For several minutes he kept the same position, but they noticed that his tail no longer switched about, and that his attitude was loose and drooping.

Now and then he turned his proboscis to the spot where he had received the thrust of the kobaoba's horn.

It was evident that the wound was distressing him, and this became more apparent by the loud painful breathing the creature uttered through his trunk.
The three began to grow impatient.

Hendrik asked leave to creep round to another point, and give him a shot that would turn him round.
Just at that moment the elephant made a motion, as though he was about to come out of the water.
He had got fairly round--his head and forepart were over dry land--the three guns were pointed--the eyes of the three hunters were about to glance through the sights of their pieces, when all at once he was seen to rock and stagger,--and then roll over! With a loud plash, his vast body subsided into the water, sending great waves to every corner of the lake.
The hunters uncocked their guns, and, springing from their ambush, rushed forward to the bank.

They saw at a glance that the elephant was dead.