THE FATE OF THE AHNAY PAYEE. 173 



ahead, a loud trumpet, as if of derision, on their 

 right or left would show them they were dis- 

 covered, and it would be twenty miles off in a few 

 hours. 



After much cogitation a plan suggested by one 

 of the mahouts that looked promising was tried. 

 Two of the most intelligent female elephants em- 

 ployed in forest work were selected, and these were 

 taught to elevate their trunks on the approach of 

 another elephant. The one which first gave warn- 

 ing was always rewarded with some little dainty, 

 so that in a short time they became so clever that 

 another elephant could not approach within several 

 hundred yards but they would scent it out and give 

 warning by elevating their trunks. When suffi- 

 ciently trained, Theobald mounted on one of these 

 animals, and with two good shikarees on the other 

 set out on the trail of the mad elephant. Some 

 fifteen miles of country were traversed on the 

 first day, yet nothing was seen of the runaway. 

 On the second day about noon, while going 

 through some bamboo-covered bottom, both ele- 

 phants gave sign towards the right of the trail. 

 All was excitement now. The guns were got 

 ready, and with an interval of about four hundred 

 yards between them the tame elephants were 

 moved off to the right and a cautious advance 

 was made. Now was heard a crackle of branches 

 ahead. The brute was probably feeding ! The 

 jungle became denser. There, behind a clump, a 

 dark object was seen ! Now a gleam of white his 

 tusks ! Yes, a solitary elephant, and a^tusker ! 



