216 UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 



a drop of hot whisky-and-water to correct the effects of the day's ducking ; 

 with a Trichiuopoly cheroot under way, my companions of the day and 

 other Kurrabas of weight in jungle matters around me, and the cheerful 

 blaze lighting up the forest overhead ; I took a much more hopeful view of 

 existence than I had so recently done, and believed it was possible I might 

 yet be happy. The men had had their meal (it is advisable in jungle- 

 trips to leave some of the companions of the men who accompany their 

 master at home to cook ; otherwise, after a hard day, they may be too tired 

 to do it for themselves, and may fall asleep without eating anything) ; per- 

 mission to smoke had been accorded to all (natives are too respectful to 

 smoke before their superiors without invitation) ; and even the reticent 

 Kurrabas had found their tongues, and were now discussing the chances of 

 finding the elephant on the morrow. More can be learned of the simple 

 nature and ideas of jungle-tribes, and of their feelings and customs, as also 

 of the habits of their fellow-inhabitants of the forest, the wild beasts, by 

 the camp-fire than at any other time. Often has some passing allusion 

 attracted my attention to matters which direct inquiry would never have 

 elicited. Investigation amongst jungle-men must be carried on in a desul- 

 tory way, and at fitting times. Any prolonged mental effort soon fatigues 

 their untutored minds. A Kurraba is as quickly tired by a steady course 

 of questions as the most brilliant conversationalist would be if set to push 

 his way through the jungles in which the Kurraba travels from morning till 

 night without fatigue. 



The next day we followed the tusker's track for many hours, but he had 

 travelled rapidly, and evidently without being seriously affected by the shot. 

 As I have already stated in the preceding chapter, elephants are rarely re- 

 covered when merely wounded by a. head-shot. If they are not killed on 

 the spot the sportsman may usually spare himseK the trouble of following 

 them, as in one night they travel a distance which will take him two days 

 to cover. 



But happily " hope springs eternal in the human breast," and I left 

 Kakankot^ comforting myself with the prospect of another hunt and better 

 luck shortly. The Kurrabas promised to let me know when they next 

 heard of the rogue. He was now off into Coorg, and was not likely to show 

 himself again in his old haunts for some time. 



