A Jungle Trip. 291 



Of course the elephants claimed our immediate atten- 

 tion. It was Palliser's turn to lead the way ; and upon 

 entering the forest at the foot of the mountain we found 

 that the elephants were close to us. The forest was a 

 perfect place for elephant-shooting. Large rocks were 

 scattered here and there among the fine trees, free from 

 underwood ; these rocks formed alleys of various widths, 

 and upon such ground an elephant had no chance. 



There was a large rock the size of a small house lying 

 within a few yards from the entrance of the forest. This 

 rock was split in two pieces, forming a passage of two 

 feet wide, but of several yards in length. As good luck 

 would have it, an elephant stood exactly on the other 

 side, and, Palliser leading the way, we advanced through 

 this secure fort to the attack. 



On arrival at the extreme end, Palliser fired two quick 

 shots, and, taking a spare gun, he fired a third, before 

 we could see what was going on, we being behind him 

 in this narrow passage. Upon passing through we 

 thought the fun was over ; he had killed three elephants, 

 and no more were to be seen anywhere. 



Hardly had he reloaded, however, when we heard a 

 tremendous rushing through the forest in the distance ; 

 and, upon quickly running to the spot, we came upon 

 a whole herd of elephants, who were coming to meet 

 us in full speed. Upon seeing us, however, they 

 checked their speed for a moment, and Palliser and 

 Wortley both fired, which immediately turned them. 

 This was at rather too long a distance, and no elephants 

 were killed. 



A fine chase now commenced through the open for- 

 est, the herd rushing off at great speed. This pace 

 soon took us out of it, and we burst upon an open plain 



