132 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
the subject of contention, they were at length so near 
to one another that there was no alternative but 
an immediate conflict. In point of size they were so 
equally matched that it would have been difficult 
to determine which had the advantage; and they 
were said to be about the same age. When within 
a few yards of each other, the elephant which had 
got nearest to the female, sprang suddenly forward, 
with a short abrupt cry, towards his adversary, which 
having eyed him keenly for some time as if he had 
expected such a result, was fully prepared for it. 
The shock was indeed terrific. The tusks of these 
formidable foes met with a force quite appalling, and 
the sound of the stroke must have been heard at a 
considerable distance beyond the enclosure. So fearful 
was the impetus that both these enormous animals 
were lifted off their forelegs to the height of at least 
four feet. Their tusks continued locked for some time 
without producing mischief, when they gradually re- 
treated, as if by mutual consent. Meanwhile the 
female appeared to be a perfectly indifferent spectator 
of the contest. She scarcely deigned to look at the 
competitors, which were so earnestly contending for 
the preference in her approbation. It was doubtful 
whether they had yet relinquished the strife, as both 
still approached the object of their rivalship, though 
evidently showing no very vivid anxiety to renew the 
encounter. There was now a sort of tacit menacing kept 
up between them, until the two horsemen galloped 
forward from behind and began to goad them in the 
flanks in order to induce them to renew hostilities. 
This summary proceeding, instead of increasing their 
