8 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. i. 



lawn to run upon if he likes, and see the elephant 

 gaining a foot in every yard of the chase, fire in his 

 eye, fury in his headlong charge ; and would not the 

 flying gentleman who lately exclaimed ' Poor thing ! ' 

 be thankful to the lucky bullet that would save him 

 from destruction ? 



There are no animals more misunderstood than 

 elephants ; they are naturally savage, wary, and re- 

 vengeful ; displaying as great courage when in their 

 wild state as any animal known. The fact of their 

 great natural sagacity renders them the more danger- 

 ous as foes. Even when tamed, there are many that 

 are not safe for a stranger to approach, and they are 

 then only kept in awe by the sharp driving hook of 

 the mohout. 



In their domesticated state I have seen them per- 

 form wonders of sagacity and strength ; but I have 

 nothing to do with tame elephants ; there are whole 

 books written upon the subject, although the habits of 

 an elephant can be described in a few words. 



All wild animals in a tropical country avoid the 

 sun. They wander forth to feed upon the plains in 

 the evening and during the night, and they return to 

 the jungle shortly after sunrise. 



Elephants have the same habits. In those parts 

 of the country where such pasturage abounds as 

 bamboo, lemon grass, sedges on the banks of rivers, 

 lakes, and swamps, elephants are sure to be found at 

 such seasons as are most propitious for the growth of 



