26 The Life of an Elephant 



be harmful, till, at the end of ten days, the 

 calf was able to walk, to follow his mother 

 for short distances at a time, then lie down 

 to sleep while she satisfied her hunger. She, 

 still full of maternal care, moved persistently, 

 yet slowly, in the direction followed by the 

 herd, hoping soon to overtake them and so 

 profit by the protection their numbers afforded, 

 and she had indeed nearly attained her object 

 without mishap when an adventure occurred 

 which might have altered the whole course of 

 this narrative. 



One morning, aware of the proximity of the 

 herd, and intending to join them during the 

 day, the elephant was grazing on the bamboo 

 shoots and grass, not far from the spot where 

 her calf was lying, when her sensitive nostrils 

 gave notice of danger. She waved her trunk 

 in the direction of the wind, inhaling deeply, 



then strode hurriedly 

 to where her calf was 

 hidden, standing over 

 him as he lay. The 

 next moment a tigress 



