Leaving Ddara to rest, propped against the trunk of a baobab tree, they hastened to rejoin the hunt, which had not moved very far away. Kalala had planned to send five men ahead, to herd the elephant into the pit and make sure it did not pass it by. Now he was glad he followed Ndair’s advice and waited. They needed every hunter just to move him in the right direction. At this rate it would take all day to get him there. They must finish the task before dark. Though they could move the beast with fire at night, the chance for getting someone killed was much higher. He did not want to lose one of his followers or face a grieving father over a son's death. And what of the sea traders! If anything happened to one of them his father would skin him alive. Brooding, he was beginning to wonder if this hunt had been such a good idea. His humor came to his rescue. It was

Thank the Mother, the beast had stopped bellowing. Like the rest of him his ears hurt. Upon reflection, Thos realized that none of them was shouting anymore either. Rasps and ragged breath were all that issued from the hunted and hunter alike. It was late in the day, but they were within a few feet of the pit. The elephant was ringed. His only path laid towards the hole. The hunters rested before the final push. The once great brute was now a sorry sight. His hide was blood soaked from dozens of wounds. None too deep but they drained him. He could no longer charge or even walk. All he could manage now was a hobble. The right rear leg was worse, and

Print Chapter .....