146 The Life of an E/ephant 



wounded to death, still retained the instinct to 

 avoid the open ground. Almost reeling with 

 weakness, he turned to regain the shelter of 

 the grass, and fell with a last merciful shot 

 through the brain. In the evening light the 

 hunters returned slowly to camp. Ere they 

 reached it, the jungle tribes were again alert on 

 their way to grazing or to hunt. From the 

 slopes on the hills and from its deep-cut ravines 

 they stole quietly forth, testing the air at each 

 footstep, listening for any suspicious sound, till 

 satisfied of safety, they rushed with quick bounds 

 from the edge of the forest, where lurking foes 

 might lie in wait, to the open country, where 

 keenness of sight came to the aid of scent and 

 hearing. 



