Introductory Chapter 



If an elephant is facing you, the reason why it 

 is advisable to wait is because the only vulner- 

 able point is so very tiny, and you are quite likely 

 to be a shade shaky whilst being "stared in the 

 face" by the largest and most dangerous animal in 

 the world. Under such circumstances the chances 

 of a successful shot are not good. The place to 

 shoot him when in such a position, however, is a 

 small depression at the junction of the trunk 

 with the forehead, midway between, and slightly 

 below, the eyes. 



If you are being charged this is the point to 

 aim at, as in no other place can you kill him 

 before he is upon you. If you hit him in the 

 heart, for instance, he still continues his mad 

 career, and woe betide you if he catches you ! 

 The only thing to do is to give him both barrels 

 at once, aiming for that spot in his forehead, and 

 " git " as hard as you can leg it, down wind from 

 him if the grass is thin enough to permit of your 

 doing so, always hoping for the best. Even if 

 your aim be not quite accurate you will give him 

 a thundering headache and probably stop him ; 

 but next morning, don't forget, that head will 

 still be on him, and he will be very liverish into 

 the bargain. So watch it 1 



It is very annoying when a bull elephant with 

 small tusks or a cow charges you, as you may 

 have to shoot in self-defence, and they both count 

 on your licence amongst the two allowed to be 



7 



