284 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



information as to the proceedings of the elephants. 

 The position was a little anxious, as if the elephants 

 advanced we should have to take refuge in the trees, 

 and the palanquin would almost certainly be destroyed. 



It was a relief, therefore, when the dak-runner at 

 length announced that the elephants were moving off, 

 and a crashing among the trees confirmed his state- 

 ment. The crashing, however, seemed to be coming 

 in our direction ; and I also thought that I dimly 

 beheld two great dark forms approaching. This, how- 

 ever, I consider, must have been fancy. If the elephants 

 were really advancing towards us they soon changed 

 their minds, for the crashing grew fainter and fainter, 

 and before long it ceased to be heard altogether ; then 

 we felt satisfied that the elephants were well away in 

 the forest. I re-entered my palanquin, the bearers 

 raised it, and we continued our journey. 



Such incidents did not always terminate so satis- 

 factorily. I remember hearing of an officer who had 

 to climb a tree, and from thence witness the proceed- 

 ings of the elephant with his palanquin. The elephant 

 first examined the palanquin carefully, both within and 

 without ; then, his curiosity satisfied, he raised his 

 trunk and beat it to pieces. I remember also the case 

 of a lady whose palanquin was similarly destroyed, 

 and who had herself a most narrow escape ; but the 

 particulars of it I forget. 



It was not uncommon in those days for some solitary 

 elephant to take up his position on one of the less 

 frequented of the forest roads, and entirely stop the 

 traffic, the mails included, for two or three days to- 



