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



formation of the hind legs with knees instead of hocks 

 giving them an increased facility for moving through 

 heavy ground. 



The great risk in attacking rogue elephants consists 

 in the impracticability of quick movements upon such 

 ground as they generally frequent, The speed and 

 activity of a man, although considerable upon a smooth 

 surface, is as nothing upon rough, stumpy grass wilds, 

 where even walking is laborious. What is compara- 

 tively level to an elephant's foot is as a ploughed field 

 to that of a man. This renders escape from pursuit 

 next to impossible, unless some welcome tree should 

 be near, round which the hunter could dodge, and 

 even then he stands but a poor chance, unless assist- 

 ance is at hand. I have never seen anyone who 

 could run at full speed in rough ground without 

 falling, if pursued. Large stones, tufts of rank grass, 

 holes, fallen boughs, gullies, are all impediments to 

 rapid locomotion when the pursued is forced to be con- 

 stantly looking back to watch the progress of his foe, 

 and to be the judge of his own race. 



There is a great art in running away. It requires 

 the perfection of coolness and presence of mind, 

 without which a man is most likely to run into the 

 very danger that he is trying to avoid. This was the 

 cause of Major Haddock's death in Ceylon some years 

 ago. He had attacked a 'rogue,' and, being imme- 

 diately charged, he failed to stop him, although he gave 



