ti4 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap, vi 



though by magic — an elephant of the most extra* 

 ordinary size that I have ever seen. He was not still 

 for an instant, but was stalking quickly up and down 

 the edge of the lake as though in great agitation. 

 This restlessness is one of the chief characteristics of a 

 bad rogue. I watched him for a few minutes, until he 

 at length took to the water, and after blowing several 

 streams over his shoulders, he advanced to the middle 

 of the tank, where he commenced feeding upon the 

 lotus leaves and sedges. 



It was a calm afternoon, and not a breath of air 

 was stirring ; and fearing lest the noise of the coolies, 

 who were arranging the encampment, should disturb 

 him, I hastened back. I soon restored quiet, arid 

 ordering the horses to be led into the jungle lest he 

 should discover them, I made the people conceal 

 themselves ; and taking my two Moormen gun-bearers, 

 who were trusty fellows that I had frequently shot 

 with, I crept cautiously back to my former position, 

 and took my station behind the large tree farthest 

 from the point which commanded the favourite 

 rubbing-post and within fifty yards of it. From this 

 place I attentively watched his movements. He was 

 wandering about in the water, alternately feeding and 

 bathing , and there was a peculiar devilry in his 

 movements that marked him as a rogue of the first 

 class. He at length made up his mind to cross the 

 tank, and he advanced at quick strides through the 



