48 The Life of an Elephant 



forced to a duel, which in any case must 

 separate them for the rest of their lives. 

 Neither had entered into it with zest, but, once 

 begun, the instinct of self-preservation compelled 

 its continuance ; while soon rage and fury- 

 swallowed up all other feelings, and all the 

 brutality of animal life came into play. They 

 pushed against each other in sullen silence, 

 while the herd instinctively moved away lest 

 they should experience the cruelty of the 

 vanquished or the blind lust of the conqueror ; 

 while the second bull gladly accompanied the 

 females to enjoy, at least for a time, the unusual 

 feeling of supremacy. 



All through the tropical night the struggle 

 proceeded with unabated fury. When the com- 

 batants separated and stood apart, eager though 

 each might have been to turn aside and leave 

 the struggle undecided, self-preservation in- 

 sisted that the face should be kept to the foe, 

 so that once again they met with lowered 

 heads, with trunks curled out of harm's way. 

 The immense muscles on fore-legs and quarters 

 stood out under the thick hides, and the tusks. 



