126 The Life of an Elephant 



noise of the hunt, by the cries of men and 

 elephants, by the blind rush or flight of his 

 companions. He arrived in no mild humour, 

 at a quick walk, his trunk swinging from side 



to side, and with fury 

 in his eyes, taking his 

 stand some fifty yards 

 distant from the help- 

 less mob of men and 

 elephants. There was 

 at once a cry for 

 Maula Bux to drive away the intruder, and our 

 elephant, whose bulk unfitted him for the chase, 

 now stepped slowly into the arena, seeming 

 with a glance to take in the position, and 

 with one wave of his trunk to learn what 

 manner of animal this was who proposed to 

 withstand him. He turned, under the pressure 

 of his mahout's knees, towards the foe, who 

 also advanced to the combat ; at a word from 

 Kareem, Maula Bux quickened his pace to 

 a charge, and the two elephants met with a 

 shock that forced each backwards. But not 

 for long. The superior weight of the tame 



