Dangers of Elephant-shooting. 95 



activity of a man, although considerable upon a smooth 

 surface, is as nothing upon rough, stumpy grass wilds, 

 where even walking is laborious. What is compara- 

 tively level to an elephant's foot is as a ploughed field to 

 that of a man. This renders escape from pursuit next 

 to impossible, unless some welcome tree should be near, 

 round which the hunter could dodge, and even then he 

 stands but a poor chance, unless assistance is at hand. 

 I have never seen any one who could run at full sf>eed 

 in rough ground without falling, if pursued. Large 

 stones, tufts of rank grass, holes, fallen boughs, gullies, 

 are all impediments to rapid locomotion when the pur- 

 sued is forced to be constantly looking back to watch 

 the progress of his foe, and to be the judge of his own 

 race. 



There is a great art in running away. It requires the 

 perfection of coolness and presence of mind, without 

 which a man is most likely to run into.. the very danger 

 that he is trying to avoid. This was the cause of Major 

 Haddock's death in Ceylon some years ago. He had 

 attacked a " rogue," and, being immediately charged, 

 he failed to stop him, although he gave him both bar- 

 rels. Being. forced to run, he went off at full speed, 

 and turning quickly round a tree, he hoped the elephant 

 would pass him. Unfortunately, he did not look 

 behind him before he turned, and the elephant passed 

 round the opposite side of the tree, and, of co/tirse, met 

 him face to face. He was instantly trampled to death. 



Mr. Wallet was also killed by a rogue elephant : this 

 animal was shot a few days afterward, after a spirited 

 contest, by Captain Galway and Ensign Scroggs, both 

 of whom were very nearly caught in the encounter. A 

 gentleman of the name of Keane was added to the list 



