ELEPHANT HUNTING. 541 



are composed of the impracticable wait-a-bit thorns, and here 

 they remain drawn up in a compact herd during the heat of 

 the day. In remote districts, however, and in cool weather, 

 I have known herds to continue pasturing throughout the 

 whole day. 



The appearance of the wild elephant is inconceivably 

 majestic and imposing. His gigantic height and colossal 

 bulk, so greatly surpassing all other quadrupeds, combined 

 with his sagacious disposition and peculiar habits, impart to 

 him an interest in the eyes of the hunter which no other 

 animal can call forth. The pace of the elephant, when 

 undisturbed, is a bold, free, sweeping step ; and from the 

 peculiar spongy formation of his foot, his tread is extremely 

 light and inaudible, and all his movements are attended 

 with a peculiar gentleness and grace. This, however, only 

 applies to the elephant when roaming undisturbed in his 

 jungle ; for, when roused by the hunter, he proves the most 

 dangerous enemy, and far more difficult to conquer than any 

 other beast of the chase. 



Harris has given a most graphic description of the imposing 

 scene of his first introduction to the South African Elephants. 

 Here it is in his own picturesque style. 



Early in the afternoon the Hottentots returned with the 

 oxen, and we proceeded without loss of time to the eastward, 

 following the course of the mountains through very high 

 grass, and passing between two conical hills of singular 

 appearance, which stood like sentinels on either hand ; after 

 crossing six inconsiderable streams, we with some difficulty 

 gained the vicinity of a remarkable abrupt opening in the 

 range, which through a telescope appeared to afford a prac- 

 ticable road to the northward. Both our wagons stuck fast 

 in the Saut river, and were with difficulty extricated by the 

 united efforts of the teams. The heat was intense, not a 

 breath stirred; the heavy black clouds fast collecting bade 

 us prepare for a deluge. We therefore formed the camp 



