SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



thick vegetation. We passed through this, the 

 4 sign ' being only too visible ; in fact, the veriest 

 novice in jungle lore could have followed the 

 trail without difficulty. Where this extra-thick 

 bit of cover terminated, there was an open space, 

 and, just beyond it, a very thick patch of bam- 

 boos. Here the ground dropped, or rather sloped 

 abruptly downwards. 



As we approached this patch of cover, we saw 

 it in a most violent state of commotion. Ramiah 

 stopped suddenly, and begged and implored me 

 not to go on, saying the elephant was tearing 

 the trees down in his rage, and was now very 

 dangerous ; and he further assured me it was 

 certain death for me to face him in such a mood, 

 in such thick cover, and on such unfavourable 

 ground. I paid little attention to his entreaties, 

 however. My nerves were strung to a tension of 

 nervous excitement. I had now a chance of 

 retrieving my previous shameful, bungling shot ; 

 and, besides, I knew that, if the elephant did 

 charge, he would have to do so uphill, and over 

 stony, rocky ground, which would give me a 

 very decided advantage, and that, if I did not 

 drop him, at all events, my shot would very 

 probably turn him. So I crept forward. I got, 

 I suppose, to within five or six yards of where 

 all the row was going on, where there was a great 



