306 THE ELEPHANT. 



of the animals is one of intense interest. Not a 

 word is spoken ; you steal noiselessly on from bush 

 to bush, and occasionally a savage ascends a con- 

 spicuous tree to reconnoitre. 



All at once the man in advance comes to a stand- 

 still, and, pushing the branches cautiously aside, 

 points to some dark, gigantic, and immovable masses 

 a short distance a-head. At first sight, their statue- 

 like and motionless appearance makes you almost 

 question the reality. But the occasional flapping 

 of the immense appendage, the ear, so conspicuous 

 in the African species, quickly dispels your doubts. 

 Those ponderous groups are, indeed, a herd of 

 elephants. 



The " trackers " now fall back their work is 

 done, yours still remains. Grasping the trusty 

 rifle, you advance with a beating heart. One 

 towering form appears above the rest; a glance at 

 his head shows two enormous alabaster teeth. To 

 him, as a matter of course, you direct your steps ; 

 you are within twenty paces of this monster of 

 flesh ; your finger is on the trigger. But, lo ! lie 

 suspects treachery. Raising his "wand" on higli, 

 and hoisting his " studding-sails," he takes a step 

 or two backwards, evidently preparing to charge 

 down upon you. This is a thrilling moment to tho 

 sportsman. No time, however, is to be lost ; you 

 pull the trigger, and the next instant the bullet is 

 well home in tho beast's body. Should you have 

 merely dealt him a flesh-wound, the chances are 

 small of your coming up with him, either on that 

 day or any other; but if, on the contrary, the missile 



