240 A COLONY IN THE MAKING ch. xxiv 
that by far the greatest danger occurs in attempting to 
secure a bull elephant out of a herd of cows either in 
thick thorn bush or bamboos, possibly, however, this 
opinion is based on the theory of omne ignotum pro 
horrifico. Onehint may be ventured on to other cautious 
members : that is to get as close as possible to 
dangerous game before firing the initial shot; this in 
case of the elephant, rhino, or buffalo should be usually 
inside of forty yards, especially of the first two, assert¬ 
ing repeatedly to one’s quaking heart that not one 
animal in a thousand bears you any ill-will until you 
start on his molestation. 
