158 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER CH. xvi 



much more quickly in the chase than during the 

 cooler seasons. 



In the rainy season (which usually extends from 

 December until March), and, in fact, right on to the 

 end of June, elephant hunting is beset with more 

 difficulties and dangers. The giant grass, which 

 grows rankly during the rains and attains its 

 maximum height ere the end of March, offers 

 almost impenetrable cover to all big game, until it is 

 somewhat levelled by the action of sun and wind 

 and the trampling of beasts, towards the end of 

 May and beginning of June, when the natives start 

 firing the bush. Besides, during the first six 

 months of the year, all wild animals consort more 

 together, and it is often extremely difficult, when 

 hunting, to select the males from the females in the 

 riotous luxuriance of the bush foliage, and especially 

 in the tall, reedy grass which elephants love to 

 frequent. 



With regard to big game hunting, especially that 

 of elephants, I have at various times read, in books 

 written by sportsmen, statements which are at 

 variance with my experience. Some of these state- 

 ments have passed unchallenged into the general 

 currency of our everyday knowledge of the habits of 

 the denizens of the wild. As I have spent so many 

 years in what I might call close touch with these 

 creatures and have had unique opportunities of ob- 



