126 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
too deep for their horses, and they preferred to be 
on foot. 
It was difficult to approach this elephant, as 
there was no cover whatever upon the large area 
of barren sand; the only method was to keep close 
to the level of the water below the terraces, as 
the head of the animal was partially turned away 
from us whilst drinking. I had a very ponderous 
single rifle weighing 22 lbs., which carried a 
conical shell of half a pound, with a charge of 16 
drams of powder. The sand was so deep that 
any active movement would have been impossible 
with the load of so heavy a weapon ; I therefore 
determined to take a shoulder shot should I be able 
to arrive unperceived within 50 yards. Stooping 
as low as possible, and occasionally lying down as 
the ever-swinging head moved towards us, we at 
length arrived at the spot which I had determined 
upon for the fatal shot. Just at that moment the 
elephant perceived us, but before he had made up 
his mind, I fired behind the shoulder, and as the 
smoke cleared, I distinctly saw the bullet-hole, with 
blood flowing from the wound. I think the elephant 
would have charged, but without a moment’s hesi¬ 
tation my gallant Hamrans rushed towards him 
sword in hand in the hope of slashing his hamstring 
before he could reach the forest. This unexpected 
and determined onset decided the elephant to retreat, 
which he accomplished at such a pace, owing to the 
large surface of his feet upon the loose sand, that the 
active hunters were completely distanced, although 
