144 WILD LIFE nae THE EQUATOR. 
those of the bull were gigantic. Tltey were bathing, and 
evidently enjoying themselves. 
We now followed with great care the banks of the 
river about ten or fifteen yards inside of them, until at 
last the water became so deep that we came to a halt. 
How sorry we felt! I would have given much if I could 
have come near the elephants; but as we approached 
the banks we saw the elephants leaving the river. 
What monsters they seemed! I'shouldered my long- 
range rifle, aimed at the big male, with but little hope of 
killing it, as I must have been several hundred yards off. 
I fired, heard the bullet strike one of the tusks, when the 
animals plunged into the forest, breaking down every 
thing before’ them. 
