XXIX A HERD OF ELEPHANTS 335 



As we retraced our steps up the side valley on the 

 following morning, we heard an elephant trumpet away 

 to our left. We at once struck off" from the path and 

 made our way up a steep ravine, where we saw three 

 elephants cross the ridge at the top : as no others 

 followed them, we hurried along and discovered the 

 herd scattered about a hill-side feeding. We moved 

 about from one group to another, examining the animals, 

 but I could see no large tusks ; then, as the herd slowly 

 ascended the hill, we ran round and headed them. We 

 had just taken up our position on a little rocky hillock, 

 when the leading elephants came into sight under some 

 big trees, where they stood fanning themselves ; they 

 had been bathing in some rocky pools on the hill-top, 

 and we could hear the others still blowing the water 

 over their backs. The trees were less than a hundred 

 yards from where we sat, the ground between being 

 open except for a few thin-stemmed trees. Gradually 

 the whole herd assembled, their great ears Happing and 

 their trunks waving. All seemed unaware of our 

 proximity, for some pulled down branches to serve as 

 fly - whisks, and mothers fondled their calves. Un- 

 fortunately, although there were several large -bodied 

 males in the herd, none had good ivory. One old cow 

 stared for some time in our direction, but we kept still, 

 and, the wind being favourable, she did not detect us, 

 but turned her attention again to keeping the flies off 

 After a little, the whole herd began slowly moving in 

 our direction. How I longed for my camera! for it was 

 just one of those chances that only come in a lifetime — 

 a herd of forty-seven elephants on open ground, the sun 



