Chap. III.] 



ELEPHANT SIIOOTIXG. 



331 



temperament is observable amongst elephants, but it may 

 be affirmed that they are much more generally timid than 

 courageous. One herd may be as difficidt to approach 

 as deer, ghding away through the jungle so gently and 

 quicldy that scarcely a trace marks their passage ; another, 

 in apparent stupor, will huddle themselves together hke 

 swine, and allow their assailant to come witliin a few 

 yards before they break away in terror ; and a third will 

 await his approacli without motion, and then advance 

 with fury to tlie " charge." 



Li individuals the same chfferences are discernible : 

 one flies on the first appearance of danger, whilst another, 

 alone and unsupported, will ftice a whole host of enemies. 

 When wounded and infuriated with pain, many of 

 them become hterally savage^ ; but, so unaccustomed 

 are they to act as assailants, and so awkward and 

 mexpert in using their strength, tliat they rarely or ever 

 succeed in killing a pursuer who falls into their power. 

 Although the pressm^e of a foot, a blow with the trtuik, 

 or a thrust with the tusk could scarcely fail to prove 

 fatal, three-fourths of those who have fallen into 

 their power have escaped without serious injury. 

 So great is this cliance of impunity, that the 

 sportsman prefers to approach within about fifteen 

 paces of the advancing elephant, a space which gives 

 time for a second fire should the first shot prove inef- 

 fectual, and should both fail there is stiU opportunity for 

 flioflit. 



Amongst full grown timber, a skilful runner can 

 escape an elephant by dodging round the trees, but in 

 cleared land, and low brushwood, the thfficidty is much 

 increased, as the small growth of iniderwood which 

 obstructs the movements of man presents no obstacle 

 to those of an elephant. On tlie other hand, on level 



' Some years ago au elephant 

 whicli had been wounded b}' u native, 

 near Hanibanf>totte, pursued the man 

 into the town, followed him aloHg 



the street, trampled him to death in 

 the bazaar before a crowd of terrilied 

 spectators, and succeeded in making 

 good ita retreat to the jungle. 



