BLBPHATSITS. 271 



the fires of my camp to be extinguislied at an early hour and all 

 my followers to retire to rest, I took up my post of observation on 

 the overhanging bough ; but I had to remain for upwards of two 

 hours before anything was to be seen or heard of the elephants, 

 although I knew they were within five hundred yards of me. At 

 length, about the distance of three hundred yards from the water, 

 an unusually large elephant issued from the dense cover, and 

 advanced cautiously across the open ground to within a hundred 

 yards of the tank, where he stood perfectly motionless. So quiet 

 had the elephants become (although they had been roaring and 

 breaking the jungle throughout the day and evening) that not a 

 movement was now to be heard. The huge vidette remained in 

 his position still as a rock, and then made three successive stealthy 

 advances of several yards (halting for some minutes between each, 

 with ears bent forward to catch the slightest sound) and in this 

 way he moved slowly up to the water's edge. Still he did not 

 venture to quench his thirst, for though his fore-feet were partially 

 in the tank, and his vast body was reflected clearly in the water, 

 he remained for some minutes listening in perfect stillness. Not a 

 motion could be perceived in himself or his shadow. He returned 

 cautiously and slowly to the position he had at first taken up on 

 emerging from the forest. Here in a little while he was joined by five 

 others, with which he again proceeded as cautiously, but less slowly 

 than before, to within a few yards of the tank, and then posted 

 his patrols. He then re-entered the forest and collected around 

 him the whole herd, which must have amounted to between eighty 

 and one hundred individuals, led them across the open ground with 

 the most extraordinary composure and quietness, till he joined the 

 advanced guard, when he left them for a moment and repeated his 

 former reconnaissance at the edge of the tank, after which, having 

 apparently satisfied himself that all was safe, he returned and 

 obviously gave the order to advance, for in a moment the whole 

 herd rushed into the water with a degree of unreserved confidence, 

 so opposite to the caution and timidity which had marked their 

 previous movements, that nothing will ever persuade me that 

 there was not rational and preconcerted co-operation throughout 

 the whole party ; and a degree of responsible authority exercised 



