50 The Life of an Elephant 



effort the herd-bull pushed the other backwards 

 for several paces, then suddenly turned and fled. 



He crashed into the thickest jungle he could 

 find, the bamboos and elastic branches recover- 

 ing their position as they swished violently in 

 the face of the pursuer. The latter could gain 

 no ground on the vanquished, and after a time 

 stopped to scream with rage and vent his 

 fury on unoffending saplings and trees in his 

 vicinity. Then, bruised and battered, he made 

 his way to overtake the herd. 

 His triumph was not long- 

 lived. In his haste he soon 

 caught up his companions, 

 and the females and young 

 stood aside as he stormed 



