THE WAYS OF THE ELEPHANT 69 



phant charged unexpectedly and would surely 

 have wounded or killed one or both of the hunt- 

 ers had not Cuninghame turned it aside with 

 both barrels of his heavy rifle. The dense jungle 

 prevented all chance of escape, and the brute 

 passed so close to the colonel that it could 

 have touched him with its trunk as it rushed 

 past. 



As soon as a shot is fired the herd will fre- 

 quently charge about, trumpeting and bellowing. 

 Even when an elephant is charging the hunter 

 cannot always fire as soon as he would like for 

 fear his bullet might strike a limb and deflect 

 from its course. 



From these remarks it must not be taken 

 for granted that elephants always charge. On 

 scenting danger from afar they usually depart. 

 It is when surprised at close quarters that they 

 seem to lose their heads and rush about, prob- 

 ably trying to locate the trouble in order to 

 avoid it. Trumpeting, bellowing, and squeal- 

 ing, they tear first one way then another, and 

 should they catch sight of the hunter they are 

 then liable to charge him. Failing to find him, 

 they huddle together and the whole herd departs. 

 After one such experience it is only men with 



