144 SIR VICTOR BROOKE CHAP. 



reported having seen the elephants, we pulled up and 

 looked well to all the rifles. Fresh caps having been 

 introduced, and spare bullets carefully packed in my 

 waistcoat pocket, ready to hand in case of necessity, 

 the only point remaining to be settled was who was to 

 begin, and have the pick of the elephants. Hamilton 

 had the most just right of choice, but true to his old 

 colours he would not hear of it. I must do the work 

 and he would help ; nothing but this arrangement would 

 satisfy him. We were still standing in the place we 

 had halted for these preparations, when a loud crack 

 caused us all to look anxiously into the valley below 

 us. The crack was quickly followed by several others, 

 and then the most unearthly trumpeting and bellowing 

 commenced. The whole valley that lay stretched at 

 our feet like an immense amphitheatre seemed positively 

 living. Every glade was studded with elephants, and 

 every thicket was heaving and swaying. Some were 

 large, some were small, but no matter what was 

 the size, every individual seemed to be doing his 

 utmost to make as much commotion as was possible. 

 That some general intention actuated the troop was 

 soon apparent. Though at first sight one would have 

 thought these gigantic creatures were tumbling about 

 for mere sport, we soon saw that they were banding 

 together, probably summoned by some old veteran 

 guardian of the herd. As soon as I recovered the first 

 astonishment and wonder caused by this glorious sight, 

 I perceived that by keeping along the side of the hill 

 from which we had been viewing the elephants, we 

 could get much nearer. So, clutching my favourite old 

 rifle, away I went at a long jot trot, followed by the 

 others. 



Meantime the noise in the valley to our right had 

 somewhat subsided, and a general consultation seemed 



