b"b THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. iv. 



In this instance there were only three elephants — 

 a large bull, with a mother and her young one, or what 

 we call a ' poonchy.' On entering the korrakan field 

 we distinctly heard them breaking the boughs at no 

 great distance. We waited for some time to see if 

 they would return to the field ; but they apparently 

 were aware of some impending danger, as they did 

 not move from their strong position. This was a 

 cunning family of elephants, as they had retreated 

 'down wind,' and the jungle being so thick that 

 we could with difficulty follow even upon their track, 

 made it very doubtful whether we should kill them. 



We cautiously entered. It was one mass of thorns, 

 and we were shortly compelled to crawl upon our 

 hands and knees. This was arduous work, as we had 

 great difficulty in carrying the guns so as to avoid 

 the slightest noise. I was leading the way, and 

 could distinctly hear the rustling of the leaves as the 

 elephants moved their ears. We were now within a 

 few feet of them, but not an inch of their bodies 

 could be seen, so effectually were they hidden by the 

 thick jungle. Suddenly we heard the prolonged 

 wh-r-r, wh-r-r-r-r-r, as one of the elephants winded us : 

 the shrill trumpet sounded in another direction, and 

 the crash through the jungle took place which no- 

 thing but an elephant can produce. In such dense jun- 

 gle, where the elephants are invisible, this crash is 

 most exciting if close at hand, as in the present instance. 



