I at once advanced with my big gun in readiness.

The two largest elephants at the same moment whirled around and started swiftly toward us.

I rested my gun against the side of a small tree and after their onward rush had brought them within fifty yards I fired as Ake suggested, "just between the eye and ear." The animal swerved but did not fall.

Akeley and Stephenson fired at the big cow and under the shock of their heavy shells she dropped to her knees, then sprang up and came on again.

Once more they shot and she again went down on her knees, but got up, shaking her head and turned a little to one side.