THE ELEPHANT. 



of tlieir arrival. They appeared to be young males. 

 I was too far off to fire with any certainty of suc- 

 cess, and therefore left my ambush in order to 

 "stalk" within range; but the beasts were on their 

 guard, and soon began to retreat a shot at the 

 nearest hastening their departure. The lead sped 

 truly, but not fatally, and the troop immediately dis- 

 appeared. 



I had scarcely withdrawn to my ant-hill when 

 another herd, consisting of full-grown bulls, rapidly 

 approached the water, with a steady, heedful step. 

 I ran to a small tree to intercept them, and, just as 

 the foremost had fairly passed me in rather dan- 

 gerous proximity, I pulled the trigger. On re- 

 ceiving the bullet the brute uttered a faint cry, and 

 with ears erect, his proboscis swaying to and fro, 

 turned and fled, passing within a few paces of the 

 spot where I stood. One of his companions took 

 the same course on the opposite side of the tree, 

 thus placing me between two tremendous foes. I 

 felt frightened, but, fortunately, they did not at- 

 tempt to molest me. To my surprise and vexation, 

 the stricken beast succeeded in making good his 

 retreat. 



I felt annoyed at rny want of success, and was ask- 

 ing myself how it happened that my last shot had not 

 proved fatal, when I observed two other elephants 

 cautiously approaching the water, at a little dis- 

 tance from which they halted ; but, after awhile, 

 the leader, more courageous than his associate, 

 moved forward, stopping, nevertheless, now and 

 then to listen. I w;;s at. this time well concealed by 



