CHAPTER XVII. 



ELEPHANTS 



THE elephants live mostly in herds ; the herds 

 wander through these forests. They are not 

 often seen, but when seen, especially in some open 

 space, they present a most imposing appearance. 

 I once heard it described. An English officer was 

 out shooting in the Shewalics ; he had pitched his 

 tent for the night up the side of a mountain in a 

 valley that opens into one of the passes that lead 

 into the Doon. The next morning at daybreak he 

 was sitting outside his tent drinking his tea before 

 starting. The valley below and the pass beyond were 

 filled, as is often the case in the cold season, with 

 a thick white mist. 



Presently he noticed towards the mouth of the valley 

 some large, dark forms. They seemed moving, and 

 next he perceived that they were advancing up the 

 valley in his direction ; they drew nearer, they became 

 more distinct, and then a whole herd of elephants 

 came into view. As one by one they emerged from 

 the mist the spectacle was most grand, but it was one 

 also that caused a little anxiety. The elephants might 

 notice the tent and advance to inspect it, and if so 



2S2 



