ADVENTURE WITH ELEPHANTS. 313 



tvho was endeavoring to assist it. These elephants had probably 

 never before heard the report of a gun, and, having neither seen 

 nor smelt me, they were unaware of the presence of man, and did 

 not seem inclined to go any further. Presently my men hove in 

 sight, bringing the dogs ; and when these came up, I waited some 

 time before commencing the attack, that the dogs and horses 

 might recover their wind. We then rode slowly toward the ele- 

 phants, and had advanced within two hundred yards of them 

 when, the ground being open, they observed us and made off in 

 an easterly direction ; but the wounded one immediately dropped 

 astern, and the next moment was surrounded by the dogs, which, 

 barking angrily, seemed to engross her attention. 



Having placed myself between her and the retreating troop, I 

 dismounted to fire within forty yards of her, in open ground. 

 Colesberg was extremely afraid of the elephants, and gave me 

 much trouble, jerking my arm when I tried to fire. At length I 

 let fly ; but, on endeavoring to regain my saddle, Colesberg de- 

 clined to allow me to mount ; and when I tried to lead him, and 

 run for it, he only backed toward the wounded elephant. At this 

 moment I heard another elephant close behind ; and on looking 

 about, I beheld the ({ friend," with uplifted trunk, charging down 

 upon me at top speed, shrilly trumpeting, and following an old 

 black pointer named Schwart, that was perfectly deaf, and trotted 

 along before the enraged elephant quite unaware of what was be 

 hind him. I felt certain that she would have either me or my 

 horse. I, however, determined not to relinquish my steed, but to 

 hold on by the bridle. My men, who of course kept at a safe dis- 

 tance, stood aghast with their mouths open, and for a few seconds 

 my position was certainly not an enviable one. Fortunately, how 

 ever, the dogs took off the attention of the elephants ; and just ay 

 they were upon me, I managed to spring into the saddle, where 1 

 was safe. As I turned my back to mount, the elephants were so 

 rery near that I really expected to feel one of their trunks lay hold 

 of me. I rode up to Kleinboy for my double-barreled two-grooved 

 rifle : he and Isaac were pale and almost speechless with fright 

 Returning to the charge, I was soon once more alongside, andL 



