72 THE OUT-STATION; OR, 



are the hollow part in the centre of the forehead, 

 about as large as a dessert plate, and two similar 

 places, of a corresponding size, just immediately be- 

 fore the ears ; a bullet penetrating either of these 

 parts must find its way to the brain. 



The excitement that the novice experiences on 

 bringing down his opponent apparently with so much 

 ease, ^albeit he has previously had a dozen shots 

 Without any visible results following), is apt to 

 make him headstrong and careless, and numberless 

 and providential have been the escapes caused by 

 too great self-confidence and foolhardiness in this 

 respect. 



I well remember the first shot that I was fortunate 

 enough to obtain at an elephant, and its consequences. 

 The brute was within six yards of me when I sent a 

 ball at his temple not then knowing the exact spot 

 that was mortal, I happened to hit him about an inch 

 too high, and divided an artery, on which a stream of 

 blood spouted out like a jet of water from a fire- 

 engine, giving me as complete a drenching as if I 

 had been soused in the Red Sea, completely blind- 

 ing me for some minutes, and leaving me in a 

 vastly pleasant predicament to continue the morning's 

 work. 



A fearful crash of branches on all sides, as I 

 retreated into the jungle to rinse the blood out of 

 rny face and clothes indicated the final rush and escape 

 of the remainder of the herd. 



