It knelt with its legs folded under it and its tusks driven deep into

the sand with the force of its fall. The flies were already clustering

at the little red mouths of the bullet wounds. Mbejane touched one of

the tusks and then he looked up at Sean. It is a good elephant. He

said no more, for this was not the time to talk. Sean leaned his rifle

against the bull's shoulder; he felt in his top pocket for a cheroot and

stood with it unlit between his teeth. He would kill more elephant, he

knew, but always this would be the one he would remember. He stroked

his hand over the rough skin and the bristles were stiff and sharp.

Where is Nkosi Duff? Sean remembered him suddenly. Did he also kill?

He did not shoot, answered Mbejane. What! Sean turned quickly to

Mbejane. Why notV Mbejane sniffed a pinch of snuff and sneezed, then he

shrugged his shoulders. It is a good elephant, he said again, looking

down at it. We must go back and find him. Sean snatched up his rifle

and Mbejane followed him. They found Duff sitting alone in the catbush

with his rifle propped beside him and a water-bottle to his lips. He

lowered the bottle as Sean came up and saluted him with it.

Hail! the conquering hero comes. There was something in his eyes that

Sean could not read.

Did you miss yours? Sean asked. Yes, said Duff, I missed mine. He

lifted the bottle and drank again. Suddenly and sickeningly Sean was

ashamed for him. He dropped his eyes, not wanting to acknowledge Duff's

cowardice. Let's get back to the wagons, he said. Mbejane can come with

packhorses for the tusks.

They did not ride together on the way home.

It was almost dark when they arrived back at the laager.

They gave their horses to one of the servants and washed in the basin

that Kandh1a had ready for them, then they went to sit by the fire. Sean

poured the drinks, fussing over the glasses to avoid looking at Duff.

He felt awkward.

They'd have to talk about it and he searched his brain for a way to

bring it into the open. Duff had shown craven and Sean started to find

excuses for him, he may have had a misfire or be may have been unsighted

by Sean's shot. At all events Sean determined not to let it stay like

this, sour and brooding between them. They'd talk it out then forget

it. He carried Duff's glass to him and smiled at him. That's right,

try and cover it with a grin, Duff lifted his glass. To our big brave

hunter. Dammit, laddie, how could you do itV

Sean stared at Duff. What do you mean? You know what I mean, you're so

damned guilty you can't even look me in the face. How could you kill

those bloody great animals, but even worse how could you enjoy doing it?

Sean subsided weakly into his chair. He Couldn't tell which of his

emotions was uppermost, relief or surprise.

Duff went on quickly. I know what you're going to say, I've heard the

arguments before, from my dear father. He explained it to me one

evening after we'd ridden down a fox. When I say we", I mean twenty

horsemen and forty hounds Sean had not yet rallied from the shock of

finding himself in the dock after preparing himself to play the role of

prosecutor. Don't you like hunting? he asked incredulously. The way

he might have asked, don't you like eating? . I'd forgotten what it

was like. I was carried away by your exitement, but when you started to

kill them it all came back to me. Duff sipped his brandy and stared