160 



ON SAFARI 



however, we found it impossible to take possession, 

 owing to the aggressive attitude and dangerous temper 

 now displayed by the main troop, Avhicli had ranged up 

 in solid phalanx just beyond the fallen bull. No sooner 

 had they regained firm ground than the whole demean- 

 our of the elephants changed. Instead of retreating 

 passively, they now faced about in open defiance, formed 

 in battle array, ready to take the offensive. With trunks 

 upraised on ever}^ side, ears cocked, and a chorus of 





COLLAPSED STEKX-FIKST 



explosive grunts varied by shrieks of rage, there was no 

 mistaking their temper ; and after watching the magni- 

 ficent scene for a few moments, we decided to retire, 

 abandoning our last prize to the enemy. There were, 

 in fact, no more good bulls among the herd ; so we 

 retreated campwards — to lunch, passing by the three 

 huge carcasses lying like islands among the reeds. 



The affair had occupied probably no more than a 

 hundred crowded minutes — many of these as full as 

 whole epochs of routine existence ; and the above pages 

 describe the main facts as such can be put down on 



