uestion," observed my uncle. "We will, however, try to
secure them. Help me to cut them out."

We set to work; and having fastened all the straps we could muster round
one of them, he ascended the tree in which I had taken refuge, and I
assisting him, we hauled up one of the tusks, and deposited it safely
among the branches. The other was hauled up in the same fashion, and
pretty hard work it was, as each tusk was considerably above half a
hundredweight.

"I hope that we shall be able to send for these some day or other, and
we are not likely to forget this spot in a hurry," remarked my uncle.

Having cut off one of the elephant's feet we ran a stick through it and
started off for the camp. The day, however, was not to pass without
another adventure. We had not gone half the distance when we saw, above
the bushes, the head and neck of a giraffe. It did not appear to be
alarmed; but influenced by curiosity, instead of cantering away, it drew
nearer, coming round the end of the clump, evidently wondering what
strange creatures we could be. So interested was it that it did not
notice another and more formidable enemy which had been creeping up
close behind. This was a lion, which, engaged in stalking its prey, did
not discover us. We, therefore, could watch at a safe distance what was
taking place. The lion kept creeping on, cautious as a cat, and with
movements very similar, when, believing that it had got near enough for
its purpose, with a rush and a tremendous bound, it leapt on the back of
the giraffe before the latter could use its heels to drive off its foe.
With fearful tenacity the savage creature hung on to the shoulders of
the terrified giraffe, which bounded forward, and leapt and sprang from
side to side in a vain endeavour to shake off its foe. Not a sound did
it utter, but dashed on, with head erect; while the lion was tearing
away with its teeth and claws at its shoulders and neck. There was no
doubt from the first which of the two would gain the victory. Blood was
streaming from the neck and flanks of the poor giraffe, which very
quickly slackened its pace and then down it came, unable longer to
endure the pain it was suffering. The lion at once began tearing away
at the flesh. Still it kicked, and struggled, but its efforts were
useless, and it very quickly ceased to move.

"We must have that lion," said my uncle.

Having examined our rifles we hurried towards the spot where the savage