40 The Life of an Elephant 



be again rejoined till some hours had elapsed. 

 The herd-bull remained for some time behind 

 the retreating elephants, as 

 if to show his independence 

 of his harem : but ulti- 

 mately he too sauntered in 

 the same direction, careless 

 as to any possible danger 

 of attack, but most careful in every stride that 

 his vast weight should rest on firm soil. 



The young calf's training had now com- 

 menced to fit him for the life which might, 

 under favourable circumstances, extend over a 

 century. At present he gave little promise of 

 a great future. His soft wrinkled skin was 

 covered with a rufous down, and his forehead 

 with long black hair, the inheritance from 

 primeval ancestors in the north ; his trunk was 

 to grow with use, but was now small and short ; 

 from his eyes glanced wickedness rather than 

 serenity, and his shaggy eyelashes 

 gave them a guileful look which, 

 indeed, was fully in accordance with 

 his character. On the march he 



