THE ROYAL ELEPHAKT HUNT AT THE KNYSNA. 199 



circumference, and stands completely detached from 

 the great forest, which is about six hundred yards 

 distant at the nearest point. It is admirably situated 

 for holding an elephant at br-y; and, in fact, if the 

 Duke had had the choice of every part of the colony, 

 he could not have selected a spot better adapted for 

 his purpose. As soon as we reached Middle Erf, 

 straps were put on the dogs, and they were held fast ; 

 for the Duke intended to stalk the elephants if he 

 should still find them in the open country; but on 

 reconnoitering he could see nothing of them, and 

 therefore the dogs were turned loose again, while most 

 of the hunters were directed to go to the rear of the 

 detached piece of forest and drive the elephants out 

 of the north side, where the Duke and his personal 

 escort were stationed. Presently one elephant showed 

 himself at the Duke's sids, trumpeting and fighting 

 with the dogs. This elephant disappeared and came 

 in view again half-a-dozsn times, on two of which he 

 raised his head and held up his trunk perpendicularly, 

 as if trying to discover by that means what chance ho 

 had of making his escape. He evidently wanted tp 

 break covert, but hesitated to do so from seeing tne 

 Duke and his party, who had stationed themselves 

 directly across the path usually taken by the elephants 

 in passing from Middle Erf to the great forest. The 

 Duke had been hitherto standing about three hundred 



