A BEAK ADVENTURE IN CEYLON. 153 



easiness, as I had frequently been a-shooting them ; 

 and though I had heard of instances of their attack- 

 ing men, I had never on any occasion seen them, 

 that they did not run away on raising a shout or 

 firing a shot. When I came near, one of them per- 

 ceived me, and gave that angry cry, which all who 

 have been accustomed to elephants know so well. 

 I shouted and ran forward, but instead of taking 

 to flight, as I expected, the one who saw me made 

 out of the jungle after me. I had got past the 

 herd, and I fled on my way with all the swiftness 

 of which I was capable. He was overtaking me 

 fast, however, and was not many yards from me, 

 when I turned round, and threw my portmanteau at 

 him. By special good fortune this arrested his pro- 

 gress, and he stopped as if to examine my kit. 

 "When I had got forty or fifty yards from him, I 

 stopped also. Perhaps you will scarcely credit me 

 when I say, that even then I was not afraid ; but so 

 it was, and I looked upon the affair more in a ludi- 

 crous than in any other light. I was determined 

 not to give up my packet so easily, and I again 

 shouted and ran back a few paces towards my friend. 

 Upon doing so, he renewed his attack, and Charged 

 me a second time. This time I should have had a 

 poor chance for it, but fortunately a small inequality 

 of ground intervened, when he was close upon me, 

 and I started to one side, stooping down as much as 

 possible, while he passed onwards. I saw him be- 



