THE BLAT ELEPHANT. 203 



point at which it had crossed the river the night 

 before. This was the spot at which we had joined 

 the tracks in the morning, and where we had left 

 our boat. 



As the elephant stepped down into the river, in a 

 fury at the sight of any implement of man, it seized 

 our craft and swung it out of the way, snapping the 

 iron chain by which we had tied it to a tree, and 

 sending it adrift down the stream. 



When we arrived on the scene we only found a 

 few links of a chain on the near bank, and in the 

 distance saw the huge footprints which showed where 

 the elephant had clambered up the farther side. The 

 river was not particularly broad, but it was tidal 

 mangrove water, and infested with crocodiles. To 

 cross it without a boat was out of the question. We 

 had the alternative of taking a path back through the 

 forest, making for Brahim's house, which was some 

 three miles away, or of waiting on the chance that 

 some boat might pass. To return was to give up all 

 hope for the day. We therefore decided to wait ; but 

 luck was against us. For nearly three long hours did 

 we wait upon a slimy bank, grilled in the sun and 

 devoured by mosquitoes, mocked by the glitter of 

 undrinkable water and insulted by the footprints fast 

 drying upon the opposite bank. At last, at about five 

 o'clock, a boat came round the bend of the river and 

 took us off. It was too late to follow the tracks 

 farther, and I sadly gave the order to return to the 

 house-boat. 



It was not until after dinner that I heard of the 

 accident to which I owe my life. Both Ahman and 



