ii2 The Life of an Elephant 



the deer rushed out to one side, clattering over 

 the stones and splashing through the water ; the 

 pigs dashed blindly for- 

 ward or broke through 

 the line, causing the 

 more timid elephants 

 to scream with fear ; the black-partridges 

 towered above the trees and soared away with 

 outspread wings ; and the peafowl, running to 

 the edge of the forest, sped away uttering 

 frightened cries. The only sign of life remaining 

 in front of the inexorable line of elephants was 

 that some yards ahead the tops of the highest 

 stalks of grass quivered as if slightly touched 

 from below. The more experienced elephants 

 raised their trunks, not to point in that direction, 

 but to assure themselves by scent what this move- 

 ment was ; the more experienced of the hunters 

 laid hand on rifle and kept it ready for use. 



The line still came on, and in front of it the 

 grasses still nodded, when suddenly the still- 

 ness was broken by 

 a shot and an 

 answering 



