A Jungle Trip. 293 



rise in the ground within thirty paces of the spot upon 

 which they stood ; and to this place I directed my steps 

 with great care, hiding in the high grass as I crept 

 toward them. 



During the whole of this time guns were firing with- 

 out intermission in the direction taken by Palliser and 

 Wortley, thus keeping my game terribly on the qui 

 vive. What they were firing so many shots at I could 

 not conceive. 



At length I reached the rising ground. The moment 

 that I was discovered by them the two largest elephants 

 came toward me, with their ears cocked and their 

 trunks raised. 



I waited for a second or two till they lowered their 

 trunks, which they presently did ; and taking a steady 

 shot with one of my double-barreled No. 10 rifles, I 

 floored them both by a right and left. One, however, 

 immediately recovered, and, with the blood streaming 

 from his forehead, he turned and retreated with the re- 

 mainder of the herd at great speed through the high 

 grass. 



The chase required great caution ; however, they for- 

 tunately took to a part of the country where the grass 

 was not higher than my shoulders, and I could thus see 

 well over it. Through this I managed to keep within 

 fifty yards of the herd, and I carried the heavy four- 

 ounce rifle, which I knew would give one of them a 

 benefit if he turned to charge. 



I was following the herd at this distance when they 

 suddenly halted, and the wounded elephant turned 

 quickly round and charged with a right good intention. 

 He carried his head thrown back in such a position 

 that I could not get a fair shot; but, nevertheless, the 

 25* 



