CHAP. IX.] ELEPHANT FOUNTAIN. Elephant Fountain is a rather
copious spring on the side of a black thorny hill, above a
narrow river-bed. Herds of animals come here to drink ; and the
ground at the principal place is bored full of pitfalls. By
arranging the bushes in different ways, different sets of paths
and pitfalls can be used at pleasure, and the animals are
unscared by the smell of the blood of their companions, who may
have been caught and slaughtered the preceding evening. No less
than thirty-four zebras were entrapped in one night. We could
not of course shoot here, as it might frighten the game away,
and there was no great temptation, as only zebras and roebucks
came to drink. There were a great many lions about, some of whom
had lately taken two men, who had sat up watching for game ; but
none troubled us. In the daytime, while we were waiting for
Amiral, a few animals were shot, and jerked as food for the
party that was to stay with the waggon, for I intended to let it
stop here, and to ride on wit