170 EXPEDITION INTO 



the side of the hill to join the main body, and passing' so 

 close to us, that we could not refrain from firing* a broad- 

 side into one of them, which however bravely withstood it. 

 We secured our horses on the summit of a stony ridg'e, 

 and then stationing* ourselves at an opportune place on a 

 ledg*e, overlooking* the wooded defile, sent Andries to ma- 

 noeuvre so that as many of the elephants as possible should 

 pass before us in order of review, that we mig'ht ascertain, 

 by a close inspection, whether there was not a male among-st 

 them. Filing* slug-gishly along*, they occasionally halted 

 beneath an umbrag'eous tree within fifteen yards of us, 

 lazily fanning" themselves Avith their ample ears, blowing 

 away the flies with their trunks, and uttering* the feeble 

 and peculiar cry so familiar to Indians. They all proved 

 to be ladies, and most of them mothers, followed by their 

 little old-fashioned calves, each trudg*ing* close to the heels 

 of her dam, and mimicking* all her actions. Thus situated 

 we might have killed any number we pleased, their heads 

 being* frequently turned towards us in such a position, and 

 so close, that a sing*le ball in the brain would have sufficed 

 for each -, but whilst we were yet hesitating*, a bullet sudden- 

 ly whizzed past Richardson^s ear and put the whole herd 

 to immediate flig-ht. We had barely time to recede behind 

 a tree, before a party of about twenty, with several little 

 ones in their wake, were upon us, striding at then' utmost 

 speed, and trumpeting* loudly with uplifted heads. I rested 

 my rifle ag*ainst the tree, and firing* behind the shoulder 

 of the leader, she dropped instantly. Another larg*e detach- 

 ment appearing close behind us at the same moment, we 

 were compelled to retreat, dodging from tree to tree, stumb- 

 ling amongst sharp stones, and ever coming upon fresh 

 parties of the enemy. This scene of ludicrous confusion 

 did not long continue — and soon approaching the prostrate 

 lady we put an end to her struggles by a shot in the fore- 



