212 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXIV. 



phants, we were serenaded by a legion of jackals. 

 An opening shriek from one of these crafty animals, 

 resounding durinor the conflict of the elements, amid 

 craggy rocks and solitary glens, was the signal for 

 a general chorus; and, re-answered by a long 

 protracted scream from a hundred throats, did not 

 fail in its eflfect upon our harassed cattle, causing 

 the sheep to break out of the enclosure, notwith- 

 standing our efforts to control them. 



Although the ground was very heavy, we re- 

 solved upon shifting the camp a few miles to the 

 eastward, in order to be within reach of the ele- 

 phants. All the mountain rills were full, but they 

 were not of sufficient magnitude to obstruct the 

 waggons. As we proceeded, several elephants were 

 observed clambering, with the agility of chamois, 

 to the very summit of the chain, until at length 

 they stood out in bold relief against the blue sky. 

 Shortly after we had halted, I went out alone, and 

 ascending by a narrow path trodden by wild animals, 

 entered a strip of forest occupying an extensive 

 ravine. On the outside of this, stood a mighty bull 

 elephant, his trunk entwined around his tusk, and, 

 but for the flapping of his huge ears, motionless as 

 a statue. Securing my mare to a tree, I crept 

 silently behind a block of stone, and levelled my 

 rifle at his ample forehead. The earth trembled 

 under the weight of the enormous brute as he 

 dropped heavily, uttering one deep groan, and 

 expiring without a struggle. His height at the 

 s houlder was eleven feet and a half, and his tusks 



