xxi A ROGUE ELEPHANT KILLS ALADDIN 275 



They had evidently determined to wait here until 

 sufficient time had elapsed, and then to return and 

 tell me that the stirrup-leather could not be found. 

 The moment they saw us they made a wild bolt 

 for cover, but I shouted to them to come back, as they 

 were discovered. 



I could not, however, find it in my heart to blame 

 them very much for not wishing to venture any- 

 where near the elephant again, as for all we knew 

 he might still be in the vicinity, and it was only 

 half an hour since Asa Ram had had such a very nar- 

 row escape. 



We all now took up the elephant's spoor and 

 scouted cautiously through the thick bush into 

 which he had disappeared, finding it extremely 

 difficult to keep on his track. He doubled and 

 twisted through the jungle in the most perplexing 

 manner, probably not knowing where he was going. 

 Eventually, however, Abbudi came running up in 

 great excitement and told us that he had seen the 

 elephant standing up in a path close by, facing us as 

 if he were about to charge again. 



I at once ordered everybody to keep well out of 

 the way, as I did not wish any further tragedies, 

 and taking the .450 rifle I set off in the direction 

 Abbudi pointed out. I considered that if I went 

 alone, I would have a better chance of getting 



