274 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



a low ledge of rock, from whence I could observe 

 every motion he made. 



He was standinsj on three leo;s, the 'off hind-foot 

 being raised from the ground, and leaning carelessly 

 against the other, whilst the fore-part of his body 

 was swinging to and fro. Although he was not more 

 than twenty paces distant, I could not get a fair shot, 

 as his head was turned directly away from me. I 

 waited nearly ten minutes for a chance of his alter- 

 ing his position, during which I had ample time to 

 admire his stately proportions and magnificent tusks, 

 but he never moved an inch. I could not get round 

 in front of him on account of the wind, and as I did 

 not like to risk the chance of losing so fine a fellow 

 by an uncertain shot that might not prove mortal, 

 after a few seconds' deliberation, I determined to try 

 another plan, which, as I had not a spare gun, was 

 attended with considerable danger. 



I examined the ground carefully, so as to be pre- 

 pared in case I had to make a run for it, and then 

 taking off my leathern gaiters and extraneous cloth- 

 ing, so as to have my limbs as free as possible, 

 noiselessly crept on my hands and knees behind 

 him, and placing the muzzle of my gun almost 

 close to the centre of the hind-foot which was raised, 

 I pulled both triggers almost simultaneously, and 

 sprang out of the way. A shrill shriek of agony 

 followed the double report, and I just escaped a 

 ferocious blow aimed at me with his trunk, being 

 fortunately out of reach. I ran round to the back 



