SCOUTING IN THE ELEPHANT FOREST 



about in any other fashion. The timber grew on 

 side hills, and was very lofty and impressive; and the 

 tropical undergrowth grew tall, rank and impene- 

 trable. We could proceed only by means of the 

 kind assistance of the elephant, the buffalo and the 

 rhinoceros. 



Elephant spoor we found, but none made later 

 than three weeks before. The trails were broad, 

 solid paths through the forest, as ancient and beaten 

 as though they had been in continuous use for years. 

 Unlike the rhino and buffalo trails, they gave us 

 head room and to spare. The great creatures had by 

 sheer might cut their way through the dense, tough 

 growth, leaving twisted, splintered, wrecked jungle, 

 behind them, but no impediment. 



By means of these beautiful trails we sneaked 

 quietly, penetrating farther and farther into the 

 jungle. Our little procession of ten made no noise. 

 If we should strike fresh elephant tracks, thus would 

 we hunt them, with all our worldly goods at our 

 backs, so that at night we could camp right on the 

 trail. 



The day passed almost without incident. Once 

 a wild crash and a snort told of a rhinoceros, in- 

 visible, but very close. We huddled together, our 

 rifles ready, uncertain whether or not the animal 

 would burst from the leafy screen at our very faces. 



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