So THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. v. 



I noticed that the ancient dam continued for a much 

 greater distance. This, together with the great height 

 of the masonry from the level of the water, proved 

 that the dimensions of the tank had formerly been of 

 much greater extent. 



Descending by the rugged stones which formed 

 the dam wall I reached the plain, and, keeping close 

 to the water's edge, I rounded a large neck of land 

 covered with trees, which projected for some distance 

 into the lake. I knew, by the position of the elephant, 

 when I first saw him, that he was not far beyond this 

 promontory, and I carefully advanced through the 

 open forest, hoping that I might meet him there on 

 his exit from his bath. In this I was mistaken, for 

 on passing through this little belt of trees I saw the 

 elephant still in the lake, belly-deep, about 300 

 paces from me. He was full 120 yards from the 

 shore, and I was puzzled how to act. He was 

 an immense brute, being a fine specimen of a tank 

 ' rogue.' This class are generally the worst descrip- 

 tion of rogue elephants, who seldom move far from 

 the lakes, but infest the shores for many years. 

 Being quite alone, with the exception of two worthless 

 gun-bearers, the plan of attack required some con- 

 sideration. 



The belt of trees in which I stood was the nearest 

 piece of cover to the elephant, the main jungle being 

 about a quarter of a mile from the shore of the lake 



