THE INDIAN ELEPHANT 



my 4-bore will carry is only 3^ in place of 4 ounces 

 in weight. This is on account of the thickness of 

 the cartridge case, whose internal diameter is less 

 than that of the bore. 



A European would have but a small chance of 

 escape by flight if attacked by an elephant on the 

 ground usually frequented by the latter. He would 

 indubitably be caught by thorns or bamboos, or 

 tripped up by branches or fallen canes hidden in 

 the grass ; and it is therefore advisable to have 

 a second big gun in reserve, and, if practicable, 

 to engage a man who will stand by his master with 

 it (but who will never dream of firing himself), 

 relying, if attacked, solely upon powder and heavy 

 lead. If unloaded when charged, the sportsman 

 should, if possible, get out of sight behind cover, 

 or into a nullah (if one should be handy), and 

 rapidly reload, and he may then obtain a good 

 chance while the elephant is searching for him, 

 though it is wiser never to be quite defenceless, 

 but to always keep one barrel in reserve in case 

 of accidents, which, with two big guns, can 

 generally be managed. 



Elephants often charge upon very slight provo- 

 cation sometimes no more than that caused by 

 the smell of man and females with young calves 

 are particularly liable to do so. I have been 

 charged by quite a small male upon no graver 

 cause than my accidentally trespassing "between 

 the wind and his nobility." I was on the track 

 of bison at the time, and, seeing the elephant at 

 some distance off, went up near enough to him 



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