From Elephant Khedder to Crocodile Tank 363 



into a grand, wild clamour reverberating through 

 the jungle. The air positively rocked with sound ; 

 above the shouts thundered the furious trumpetings 

 of the elephants, and the rush and tread of heavy 

 bodies being forced along in the direction desired. 

 Finally, with a crashing prelude, the whole herd, a 

 terrified throng, rushed into view. 



At the sight of the palisade and group of on- 

 lookers the great beasts came to a stand fifty-seven 

 of them, half-mad with terror and excitement, strong 

 and wild enough to have carried the whole khedder 

 away before them like a sheet of newspaper. On 

 came the beaters, redoubling their shouts, the rockets, 

 and the shots ; but still the herd stood immovable 

 only a leader wanted, and then a desperate charge. 



In the leading ranks stood a female and her calf. 

 At this moment the little calf sprang forward towards 

 the corner of the khedder where Captain Z. had taken 

 up his position in front of the platform, beyond the 

 rails. The mother, with only a thought of defend 

 ing her young, dashed nobly after it, and seeing her 

 enemies before her, she charged straight at Captain Z. 



It was an alarming moment ; the beaters' lives were 

 worth very little purchase, to say nothing of those of 

 the party on the platform, if the herd stampeded, as 

 they were on the brink of doing, and charged after 

 the female. There was a loud detonation, and Captain 

 Z. floored her with an eight-bore Greener and ten 

 drams ; she fell almost at his feet. It was a sad 

 sight and a deplorable occurrence, but there was no 



