176 THE ELEPHANTS HEARD. 



we at once knew that at daybreak the troop of elephants 

 had paid this spot a visit. 



Two or three very large circular impressions in the 

 mud indicated the presence of bulls, while the oval 

 and small ones showed us signs of cow and calf ele- 

 phants. 



The elephants had wandered about outside the bush 

 for some time ; they had then entered, and walked on in 

 Indian file to the deep and gloomy recesses of the forest. 



The path that the elephants had made was not nearly 

 so large as would be expected; it would have been 

 impossible to have ridden a horse along it even a few 

 yards. 



We entered on their footsteps, Monyosi leading the 

 spoor ; we advanced with the usual slow, noiseless tread, 

 with occasional rests of five or ten minutes, for the 

 purpose of listening. This latter performance is tiresome 

 to the impatient hunter, but most essential. 



Listening is the only certain means of discovering the 

 presence of elephants, as they will frequently stand for 

 hours, in perfect stillness, especially on a calm hot day, 

 and when the bush affords them a secure and cool cover. 



The rumbling noise in their vast interior they cannot 

 keep quiet : this sounds like bubbles coming up in water, 

 and is sure to be heard every five or ten minutes on a 

 still day, even when at a hundred yards' distance. 



We had proceeded about two miles on their traces, 

 and had entered the densest part of the forest, when we 

 heard this noise, and at once sat down to listen, to find 

 out all about them. 



