THE INDIAN ELEPHANT 25 



calf. These are nasty customers, and if a man 

 is very close are apt to charge on suspicion. 

 If all goes well, and you have pushed on boldly 

 but quietly, always, of course, paying the greatest 

 attention to the wind, you are pretty certain 

 to come on a big fellow at last, if there is one 

 in the herd. The trouble now is to get up 

 to him. There are probably half a dozen ele- 

 phants all round him, and it may take a lot of 

 manoeuvring to get within a dozen yards or so. 

 You cannot get too close. The closer you 

 are the safer you are, as the herd is less 

 likely to stampede in your direction. Wait 

 till he gives you a fair chance, aim carefully 

 at his head, and look out for a stampede. At 

 the shot there will be a rush, the whole herd 

 will close up and then stampede — in which 

 direction it is impossible to say. If they come 

 straight down on you, your only chance is to 

 stand absolutely motionless behind a bamboo 

 clump or tree, if there is one available ; otherwise, 

 in the open. To run is fatal. A stampede 

 by a big herd of elephants in one's direction 

 is a trying ordeal, but it is not as dangerous 

 as it appears if one keeps cool and does not 

 attempt to move. The huge beasts are merely 

 intent on escaping, and will pass by on either 

 hand, mistaking one for a tree. Any move- 

 ment attracts attention and induces pursuit. If, 

 during a stampede, an elephant is seen coming 

 straight towards you, a shot or a shout will 



