Attacking the Rogue. 107 



few minutes, until he at length took to the water, and 

 after blowing several streams over his shoulders, he ad- 

 vanced to the middle of the tank, where he commenced 

 feeding upon the lotus leaves and sedges. 



It was a calm afternoon, and not a breath of air was 

 stirring; and fearing lest the noise of the coolies, who 

 were arranging the encampment, should disturb him I 

 hastened back. I soon restored quiet, and ordering the 

 horses to be led into the jungle lest he should discover 

 them, I made the people conceal themselves ; and taking 

 my two Moormen gun-bearers, who were trusty fellows 

 that I had frequently shot with, I crept cautiously back 

 to my former position, and took my station behind the 

 large tree farthest from the point which commanded 

 the favorite rubbing-post and within fifty yards of it. 

 From this place I attentively watched his movements. 

 He was wandering about in the water, alternately feed- 

 ing and bathing ; and there was a peculiar devilry in 

 his movements that marked him as a rogue of the first 

 class. He at length made up his mind to cross the 

 tank, and he advanced at quick strides through the 

 water straight for the point upon which I hoped to meet 

 him. 



This was an exciting moment. I had no companion, 

 but depended upon my own gun, and the rutty nature 

 of the ground precluded any quick movements. The 

 watching of the game is the intense excitement of 

 elephant-shooting — a feeling which only lasts until the 

 animal is within shot, when it suddenly vanishes and 

 gives place to perfect calmness. At this time I could 

 distinctly hear the beating of my own heart, and my 

 two gun-bearers, who did not know what fear was, 

 were literally trembling with excitement. 



