1 66 TALES OF A NOMAD. 



In a moment our fatigue and depression vanished, 

 and we felt fit to go another twenty miles. 



By the direction of their tracks it seemed as though 

 they had come from the river. They did not belong to 

 the troop we were in search of, but had probably crossed 

 over from the other side of the river. 



We followed their spoor, and in less than a quarter of 

 an hour came to a mud hole, where they had bathed. 

 The mud had not yet settled down, and the water was 

 still of a pea-soup colour. The banks were covered 

 with wet mud and water. 



By the traces it was evident that they had lingered here 

 for some time, and we now felt sure they were close ahead. 



One has to exercise judgment and caution in ap- 

 proaching a pair of elephants male and female, for at 

 certain periods the male is excessively dangerous if in- 

 terfered with. 



It is as well to make sure that you are firing at the 

 male, for at the periods above referred to, should you 

 fire at the female first and wound her, it is extremely 

 likely that you may at once be charged by the male. 

 If he charges, she will probably charge also. 



Now, one man one tree to dodge round and two 

 elephants at the man, is not fair play. 



If you fire at the male only, in all probability the 

 female will take to flight. In dense jungle it is some- 

 times exceedingly difficult to distinguish the male from 

 the female, as the tusks are often obscured by bush and 

 branches. 



The troops of elephants generally consist of females, 

 calves, and elephants which have not yet reached 

 maturity. They are not dangerous as a rule, excepting 

 during the season when the wild fruit is ripe. At that 



