48 IN THE INDIAN JUNGLE. 



soon on the spot, and on matters being explained 

 to them they said the elephant must be badly 

 wounded about the face, otherwise he would have 

 renewed the attack. The shots being fired at such 

 close quarters must have scorched the opening 

 of the wound and prevented the immediate flow 

 of blood. They added that if wounded the 

 elephant would not go far, but would make for 

 the nearest water in search of mud with which 

 to plaster the wound, as mud was a sovereign 

 remedy for all elephant wounds, and all elephants 

 used it. The brute would then lie up in some 

 dense thicket for a day or two, as any exertion 

 would tend to re-open the wound. The Kurambas 

 appeared to be so thoroughly acquainted with the 

 habits of these beasts, that we readily placed our- 

 selves under their guidance, and swallowing a hasty 

 breakfast we set off on the trail, taking with us 

 one shikar to interpret and a gun-bearer, named 

 Suliman, to carry a tiffin-basket. 



The tracks ran parallel with the road for about 

 a mile, and then crossed it and made south in 

 the direction of the Kabbany river, an affluent 

 of the Cauvery. Distinct traces of blood could 

 now be seen, and presently we came to a spot 

 covered with blood, where the elephant had 

 evidently stood for some time. The country 

 became more and more difficult as we approached 

 the river. Dense clumps of bamboo and wait-a- 

 bit thorns, with here and there a large teak or 

 honne tree, made it difficult to see more than a few 

 yards ahead. The Kuramba guides said that we 



