222 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



two hours before anything was to be seen or heard of the 

 elephants, although I knew they were within 500 yards of 

 me. At length, about the distance of 300 yards from the 

 water, an unusually large elephant issued from the dense cover, 

 and advanced cautiously across the open ground to within 

 loo yards of the tank, where he stood perfectly motionless. 

 So quiet had the elephants become (although they had been 

 roaring and breaking the jungle throughout the day and 

 evening) that not a movement was now to be heard. The 

 huge vidette remained in his position, still as a rock, for a 

 few minutes, and then made three successive stealthy advances 

 of several yards (halting for some minutes between each, with 

 ears bent forward to catch the slightest sound), and in this 

 way he moved slowly up to the water's edge. Still he did 

 not venture to quench his thirst; for though his forefeet were 

 partially in the tank, and his vast body was reflected clear 

 in the water, he remained for some minutes listening in per- 

 fect stillness. Not a motion could be perceived in himself 

 or his shadow. He returned cautiously and slowly to the 

 position he had at first taken up on emerging from the forest. 

 Here in a little while he was joined by five others, with which 

 he again proceeded as cautiously but less slowly than before, 

 to within a few yards of the tank, and then posted his patrols. 

 He then re-entered the forest and collected around him the 

 whole herd, which must have amounted to between eighty 

 and a hundred individuals, led them across the open ground 

 with the most extraordinary composure and quietness till he 

 joined the advance guard, when he left them for a moment 

 and repeated his former reconnaissance at the edge of the 

 tank. After which and having apparently satisfied himself 

 that all was safe, he returned and obviously gave the order 

 to advance, for in a moment the whole herd rushed into the 

 water with a degree of unreserved confidence, so opposite to 

 the caution and timidity which had marked their previous 

 movements, that nothing will ever persuade me that there was 



