m,* 



158 ELEPHANTS. 



the mark is well defined, and the path to the brain offers 

 but little impediment to penetration. Aim is taken below 

 the centre of the bump just over the trunk, when the 

 elephant is facing the firer, on level ground, the drawback to 

 the shot being that it is seldom offered. If the elephant is 

 on higher ground, aim must be taken lower, and vice versa, 

 the nearer the sportsman is to the animal the greater must 

 "be the allowance for difference of level. The temple shot- 

 half way between eye and ear aim so as to break in 

 half an imaginary stick joining the centres of the ears 

 an angle of forty -five degrees with the plane of the length 

 will ensure this. The ear- shot aim at right angles 

 through the ear-hole, not always an easy mark in the 

 gloom of the forest. . The rear shot is in prolongation of 

 the temple shot ; try to break the stick in half by firing 

 from rear to front, at an angle of forty-five degrees with 

 the plane of the elephant's length. 



The rules regarding differences of level apply to all 

 these shots. The eyes of the elephant are fair guides to 

 the level of his brain, except when the firer is on higher 

 ground. On level ground the eyes are below the brain, 

 but the tendency is to aim too high, and the heavy charges 

 used, increase the error. The elephant's sight is bad, but 

 his sense of smell is very keen, be careful therefore to keep 

 to leeward of him ; try the wind frequently with tobacco 

 ashes, bits of dry grass, &c., and you will have no difficulty 

 in getting within twenty yards of him, in ordinary 

 ground ; do not fire at a greater range, but if you can get 

 within ten yards do so, but don't go nearer. 



These rules have been framed on the experiences of 

 several sportsmen who have had practical proof of their 

 truth ; one of them (Captain Buckle, R.A.) spoke of a 

 fifth shot which once saved his life, when an infuriated 



