CHAP. VI. ATTACKING THE ROGUE. 115 



water straight for the point upon which I hoped to 

 meet him. 



This was an exciting moment. I had no com- 

 panion, but depended upon my own gun, and the 

 rutty nature of the ground precluded any quick move- 

 ments. The watching of the game is the intense 

 excitement of elephant-shooting — a feeling which only 

 lasts until the animal is within shot, when it suddenly 

 vanishes and gives place to perfect calmness. At this 

 time I could distinctly hear the beating of my own 

 heart, and my two gun-bearers, who did not know 

 what fear was, were literally trembling with excite- 

 ment. 



He was certainly a king of beasts, and proudly he 

 advanced towards the point. Suddenly he disappeared ; 

 nothing could be seen but his trunk above the water 

 as he waded through the deep channel for a few yards, 

 and then reared his majestic form dripping from the 

 lake. He stood upon the ' point.' I never saw so 

 grand an animal ; it seemed as though no single ball 

 could kill him, and although his head and carcass 

 were enormous, still his length of leg appeared dis- 

 proportionately great. With quick, springy paces he 

 advanced directly for his favourite tree and began his 

 process of rubbing, perfectly unaware of the hidden 

 foes so near him. 



Having finished his rubbing, he tore up several 

 bunches of grass, but without eating them he threw 



