A MEMORABLE ELEPHANT HUNT. 207 



had been punished most of all, which afforded me no little satis- 

 faction, for he had always been the worst gmmbler in my gang, 

 and made me the most trouble. More than once I was tempted to 

 thrash him myself. After considerable trouble the camp was re- 

 stored to a peace footing, and all hands settled down for the night. 

 The next morning, while making up the packs, I had a chill, 

 which of course was followed by fever and a splitting headache. 

 Can it be possible, I asked myself, that I am to lose that elephant 

 skin on account of fever ? It really did seem possible. Nothing 

 short of my presence and assistance could save it from ruin within 

 the next twenty-four hours. As my fever increased, I began to be 

 discouraged. Doraysawmy finished making up the packs, consist- 

 ing of the small tent, necessary provisions, and about a hundred 

 povmds of salt and alum. When all was ready for a start I called 

 up the men and told them we were ready, whereupon they sat 

 down upon the ground, and all but Channa refused point blank to 

 go ! Here was a pretty situation for a man with the fever upon 

 himi 



