2 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER CH. 



systematic course of exercise, which keeps every 

 muscle of my body supple and gives me complete 

 mental control over the functions of each. It is 

 to this constant care of my physical being that 

 I ascribe my fitness to-day, after all the vicissi- 

 tudes of a most strenuous and exacting life under 

 a tropical sun, and to it I also assign a great 

 part of my success as a hunter, for, apart from 

 the temperament suitable for such a calling, the 

 muscular system must be so tuned that it will 

 instantaneously respond to every message of the 

 brain. Upon this co-operation, a hunter's life 

 again and again depends. After exercise a cold 

 tub and a brisk rub down ! What a splendid 

 tonic, and what an absolute necessity in the 

 tropics ! Next, my boy brings me a lightly 

 brewed cup of tea and some biscuits, and this 

 frugal meal constitutes breakfast. 



Our camp is now all astir. My men, consist- 

 ing of trackers, carriers, cook and private servants 

 about ten in number are ready to start, so off 

 we go into the forest with long, easy, springing 

 strides, the blood tingling in our veins with the 

 joy of life. To all intents and purposes, we are 

 absolutely free ; there is no vexatious etiquette to 

 be observed ; I can burst into a hearty laugh 

 without shocking the ridiculous propriety of a 

 crowded street ; I do not require to wear this 



