176 EXPEDITION INTO 



people^ and a band of all sorts of melody from the cattle. 

 It died^ however, in spite of every care, in the coui'se of 

 a few days ; as did two others, much older, that we sub- 

 sequently captured. 



The day again closed with a thunder-storm, which twice 

 passed off, and twice revisited us in the course of the 

 nig-ht. The rivers, wdiich had subsided during- the daj^, 

 became once more agitated, and instead of the trumpet 

 accompaniment from elephants, we were serenaded by a 

 leg-ion of jackals. An opening* shriek from one of these 

 craft}^ animals, resounding* during- the conflict of the ele- 

 ments, amid crag*g-y rocks and solitary" g'lens, was the signal 

 for a g'eneral chorus ; and, re-answered by a long* protracted 

 scream from a hundred throats, did not fail in its effect 

 upon our harassed cattle, causing* the sheep to break out 

 of the enclosure, notwithstanding* our efforts to control 

 them. 



Althoug*h the ground was very heavy, we resolved upon 

 shifting* the camp a few miles to the eastward, in order 

 to be within reach of the elej)hants. All the mountain 

 rills were full, but they were not of sufficient magnitude 

 to obstruct the waggons. As we proceeded, several ele- 

 phants were observed clambering, with the agility of cha- 

 mois, to the ver}^ summit of the chain, until at length they 

 stood out in bold relief against the blue sky. Shortly after 

 we had halted, I went out alone, and ascending by a narrow 

 path trodden by wild animals, entered a strip of forest 

 occupying an extensive ravine. On the outside of this 

 stood a mighty bull elephant, his trunk entwined around 

 his tusk, and, but for the ffapping of his huge ears, mo- 

 tionless as a statue. Securing my mare to a tree, I crept 

 silently behind a block of stone, and levelled my rifle at 

 his ample forehead. The earth trembled under the weight 

 of the enormous brute as he dropped heavily, uttering* one 



