278 THKILLING ADVENTUKES. 



These elephants had probably never before heard the report 

 of a gun ; and having neither seen nor smelt me, they were 

 unaware of the presence of man, and did not seem inclined 

 to go any farther. Presently, the men hove in sight, bring- 

 ing the dogs ; and, when these came up, I waited some time 

 before commencing the attack, that the dogs and horses 

 might recover their wind. We then rode slowly towards the 

 elephants, and had advanced within two hundred yards of 

 them, when, the ground being open they observed us, and made 

 off in an easterly direction ; but the wounded one immediately 

 dropped astern, and the next moment she was surrounded by 

 the dogs, which, barking angrily, seemed to engross her 

 attention. 



Having placed myself between her and the retreating 

 troop, I dismounted to fire within forty yards of her, in open 

 ground. My horse, Colesburg, was extremely afraid of the 

 elephants, and gave me much trouble, jerking my arm when 

 I tried to fire. At length I let fly ; but, on endeavoring to 

 regain my saddle, Colesburg declined to allow me to mount ; 

 and when I tried to lead him, and run for it, he only backed 

 towards the wounded elephant. 



At this moment I heard another elephant close behind ; 

 and on looking about I beheld the "friend," with uplifted 

 trunk, charging down upon me at top speed, shrilly trumpet- 

 ing, and following an old black pointer, named Schwart, that 

 was perfectly deaf, and trotted along before the enraged ele- 

 phant, quite unaware of what was behind him. I felt' cer- 

 tain that she would have either me or my horse. I however 

 determined not to relinquish my steed, but to hold on to my 

 bridle. My men, who of course, kept at a safe distance, 

 stood aghast with their mouths open, and for a few seconds 

 my position was not an enviable one. Fortunately, however, 

 the dogs took off the attention of the elephants ; and just as 

 they were upon me, I managed to spring into the saddle, 

 where I was safe. As I turned my back to the mount, the 



