CHAP. xii. A JUNGLE TRIP. 329 



they advanced. One was a large female, and the 

 other was most probably her calf, being little more 

 than half-grown. 



It was a beautiful sight to see the caution with 

 which they advanced, and we lay down to watch them 

 without being seen. They were about 2co yards from 

 us, and, as they slowly advanced along the steep hill- 

 side, they occasionally halted, and, with their trunks 

 thrown up in the air, they endeavoured, but in vain, to 

 discover the enemy that had so recently disturbed 

 them. We had the wind all right, and we now crept 

 softly up the hill, so as to meet them at right angles. 

 The hillside was a mass of large rocks overgrown and 

 concealed by the high lemon grass, and it was difficult 

 to move without making a noise, or falling into the 

 cavities between the rocks. 



I happened to be at the head of our line, and, long 

 before I expected the arrival of the elephants, I heard 

 a rustling in the grass, and the next moment I saw the 

 large female passing exactly opposite me, within five 

 or six paces. I was on half-cock at the time, as the 

 ground was dangerous to pass over with a gun on full 

 cock, but I was just quick enough to knock her over 

 before the high grass should conceal her at another 

 step. She fell in a small chasm, nearly upsetting the 

 young elephant, who was close behind her. Wortley 

 killed him, while I took the last kick out of the old one 

 by another shot, as she was still moving. 



