/ 
a6S TRAVELS IN 
purfue them are expofed. It muft indeed be 
allowed that, if any one is fo thoughtlefs and 
fool-hardy as to attack an elephant on plain 
open ground, he is certain of being deftroyed 
if he mifles his aim ; but if the hunter knows 
how to take his advantages, all the ftrength 
of the animal muft yield to his coolnefs and 
addrefs. I confefs that the appearance of an 
elephant caufes an aftonifliment which at firft 
renders one almoft ftupid ; it is awful and ter- 
rible : but, with a little courage and^compofure, 
one foon becomes accuftomed to its afpeft. 
Before he attempts this grand kind of hunting^ 
a prudent man' fhould endeavour to examine 
the charafter, the gait, and the refources of the 
animal ; and he ought, above all, according to 
circumftances, to fecure fome places of retreat, 
to fhelter him from danger, in cafe he fhould 
be purfued after having miffed. By means of 
thefe precautions, this fpecies of hunting is 
only an amufing exercife ; a game in which 
there is fifty to one to be laid in favour of the 
player. 
Whilft I remained in this canton I varied 
my encampments as well as my occupations ; 
but I always w^as much attached to the de* 
lightful 
4. 
