io The Life of an Elephant 



weapons he carried in his hand an ancient 

 single-barrel musket ; while, thrust into the 

 loin-cloth at his back, was a heavy, but sheath- 

 less, knife whose handle protruded conveniently 

 to the grasp of his right hand. As to beauty 

 of features this being possessed none : but his 

 eyes were wide- set and clear, and in demeanour 

 and movement he gave the instantaneous im- 

 pression of physical endurance and courage. 

 Turning to the east, he saluted the rising sun, 

 as if to give thanks that the hours of darkness 

 were past, then, making obeisance to the wood- 

 land shrine, he strode with easy, elastic tread 

 to the pass below. 



Long before he had reached its summit he 

 was aware that elephants had passed in the 

 night ; instinctively he had estimated the 

 number of the herd and of its various members, 

 and he knew that the herd-bull had followed 

 but lately on the trail of his harem. For a few 

 moments he also stood looking into the valley 

 from whence the fogs of night had now re- 

 treated, and then, following the trail, he was 

 swallowed up in the mass of vegetation below, 



