chap. iv. ELEPHANT. 217 



will very likely, if loaded, get a splendid chance at the 

 elephant that is looking for you. It will rarely continue 

 its charge for any length of time, but sometimes the whole 

 herd will combine, as in the instance already related, and 

 drive every hunter out of the bush, quartering about till 

 they strike each individual's wind, and following it up 

 until he is reached and turned out, after which they will 

 retire back into the jungle, and stand ready there to 

 repeat the attack if they are again followed. When 

 receiving a charge in the open, it is advisable to run up- 

 hill if possible ; or, should the animal be above you, run 

 down until you are almost overtaken — as you soon will be 

 — then double, and run back again. Its great weight and 

 impetus prevent its turning quickly, and once above it 

 you have very little to fear, especially if the hill be steep 

 and your wind good ; indeed, in such a case it will very- 

 soon abandon the chase. 



Rogue elephants are rare; indeed, it seems to me that 

 it is necessary for the full formation of that amiable 

 animal's character that it should inhabit a well-populated 

 district where continual opportunities are afforded it of 

 attacking defenceless people, of breaking into their fields, 

 and in general of losing its natural respect for human 

 beings ; and as such conditions seldom exist in Africa, from 

 the elephant chiefly inhabiting districts devoid of popula- 

 tion from their unhealthiness, the rogue, properly so 

 called, is seldom met with, though the solitary bull, the 

 same animal in an earlier stage, is common enough. The 

 most dangerous elephants are undoubtedly the tuskless 

 cows, and the dread inspired by them is so great that the 

 best native hunters often fear to approach a herd accom- 



