206 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXIII. 



said of the attachment of elephants to their young, 

 but neither on this, nor on any subsequent occasion, 

 did we perceive them evince the smallest concern 

 for their safety. On the contrary, they left them to 

 shift for themselves, and Mohanycom and 'Lingap, 

 who were behind us, assagaied one, the tail of 

 which they brought in. We slew another old 

 female as we ascended the brow of an eminence, 

 and at the same moment perceived our waggons 

 within a few hundred yards of the spot. The whole 

 herd dashed through the camp, causing indescrib- 

 able consternation amongst cattle and followers, 

 but fortunately no accident occurred, and after the 

 fatiguing day's work we had undergone, we were 

 not sorry to find ourselves at home. 



Watery clouds hung about the sun as he set 

 heavily behind the mountains. Loud peals of 

 crashing thunder rent the air, and ere it was dark, 

 we had a repetition of yesterday's storm, the river 

 roaring past us with frightful fury. Troops of ele- 

 phants flying from the scene of slaughter, passed 

 close to our waggons during the darkness, their wild 

 voices echoing amongst the mountains, and sound- 

 ing like trumpets above the tempest. It was im- 

 possible to keep the fires burning : and the oxen 

 and sheep were alarmed to such a degree, that they 

 broke from the kraal, and sought safety in the 

 wilderness. Tired as I was, the excitement I had 

 undergone banished sleep from my eyes. I rumi- 

 nated on the spirit-stirring events of the day, and 

 burned with impatience to renew them. Heedless 



