196 RECONNOITRING THE HERD. 



was carried across the knees, but only to be used for defence 

 in the event of a charge being made by a wild elephant. 



As the Khedda camp was on the west bank of the Ganges, 

 and the herd was reported to be on the opposite side, we at 

 once proceeded to cross the river by the nearest ford. A 

 truly fine sight it was to see some thirty elephants steadily 

 ploughing their way through the water, which was run- 

 ning almost up to the pads, as the animals leant their huge 

 bodies against the stream to resist the force of the rapid 

 current. 



All having got across the river, the first thing necessary 

 before starting in pursuit was to carefully reconnoitre the 

 exact position of the herd. This was done on foot by a few 

 of the party, when it was ascertained that the animals were 

 feeding among some thick clumps of bamboos, which were 

 situated on so seemingly impracticable a position for ele- 

 phants to reach, that it was difficult to conceive how such 

 huge beasts ever got there ; but it is almost incredible what 

 steep and difficult places elephants can travel over. As the 

 ground was found to be unsuitable for attempting to capture 

 the animals by driving them up into a sote, Major Baugh's 

 intention was, in this instance, merely to endeavour to drive 

 them towards a more likely locality for circumventing them. 

 At the same time, it was just possible that one or more of 

 them might be noosed in the chase ; at all events, he expected 

 an exciting run. 



The reconnoitring party having remounted their elephants, 

 we all advanced slowly, and as silently as possible, towards 

 the herd, which, apparently not as yet being much alarmed 

 at the approach of the tame elephants, moved leisurely down 

 through the jungle on the steep declivities towards the level 

 forest below. Our progress was at first rather slow, our 

 elephants using the greatest caution, whilst descending, in 

 placing one foot firmly before venturing to move another. 

 However, we at length reached more level ground, where we 



