" Rogue" at Kondaivataweny. 183 



place. The men went round to the tank side of the 

 patch of jungle, and immediately commenced shouting 

 and firing, securing themselves from an attack by climb- 

 ing into the highest trees. A short interval elapsed, 

 and not a sound of the elephant could be heard. The 

 firing and shouting ceased, and all was as still as death. 

 Some of the Moormen returned from the jungle, and 

 declaimed that the elephant was not there, but this was 

 all nonsense ; the fact was, they did not like the idea of 

 driving him out. Knowing the character of these 

 " rogues," I felt convinced that he was one of the worst 

 description, and that he was quietly waiting his time 

 until some one should advance within his reach. Hav- 

 ing given the Moormen a supply of powder, I again 

 despatched them to drive the jungle. Once more the 

 firing and shouting commenced, and continued until their 

 supply of powder was exhausted : no effects had been 

 produced ; it was getting late, and the rogue appeared 

 determined not to move. A dead silence ensued, 

 which was presently disturbed by the snapping of a 

 bough ; in another moment the jungle crashed, and 

 forth stepped the object of our pursuit. He was a mag- 

 nificent elephant, one of the most vicious in appearance 

 that I have ever seen ; he understood the whole affair 

 as well as we did ; and flourishing his trunk, he paced 

 quickly backward and forward for a few turns before 

 the jungle he had just quitted, and, suddenly making 

 his resolution, he charged straight at the bush behind 

 which we had imagined ourselves concealed. He was 

 about eighty yards off when he commenced his onset ; 

 and seeing that we were discovered, I left the hiding- 

 place and stepped to the front of the bush to meet him 

 with the four-ounce rifle. On he came at a great pace, 



