MY BIG TUSKER. 183 



the water announced that two more Dyaks had sought 

 safety by taking headers into the river. 



My folly in having approached this elephant in a dim 

 light and on such dangerous ground now became pain- 

 fully apparent to my own mind ; but there is no use in 

 crying over spilt milk. There was not a moment to 

 be lost. I was quite unable to run about in my present 

 condition, and the river seemed to be the best position 

 for giving battle in ; so I made for the bank as fast as I 

 could, threw ofT my cartridge bag, and cocking both 

 barrels came to the ready position. I determined not 

 to fire at all unless obliged to, and in that event I con- 

 templated throwing down my gun and leaping into the 

 river. 



Behind me I heard a noise of splashing and rattling 

 of paddles, accompanied by the voices of the Dyaks in 

 the boat crying out : " Look sharp and shove off, for he 

 is coming down stream and will smash the boat if he 

 sees it". 



In a few moments more at about ten yards from me 

 the jungle parted and a huge bull elephant stalked out, 

 with his head elevated in the air, his trunk curled up, 

 and his ears extended. On seeing me he halted and 

 extended his trunk straight out at me. I levelled my 

 gun upwards at him, and there we stood face to face 

 without a movement on either side. I could hardly see 

 the bead of my foresight. His head was so raised that 

 I could not get the forehead shot, so I levelled my gun 

 at his mouth, though it would have been almost hopeless 

 to expect to kill him by a shot in the mouth. Had he 

 given the least movement forward I should have fired 

 instantly, and then, dropping the gun, have jumped into 

 the river. This was perhaps one of the most trying 



