210 
IVILB BEASTS AND THEIR WAVS 
CHAP. 
therefore it invariably seeks the densest shade, and is 
especially fond during the hottest weather of lying 
upon ground that has previously been wet, and is 
still slightly damp; it is in such places that the 
tamarisk grows most luxuriantly. 
We were now marching through a long strip of 
this character which had at one time formed a 
channel; on either side the tamarisk strip was 
enormously high, and dense grass. Suddenly an 
elephant sounded the kettle-drum note; this was 
quickly followed by several others, and a rush in the 
tamarisk frightened the line, as several animals had 
evidently broken back. We could see nothing but 
the waving of the bush as the creatures dashed 
madly past. These were no doubt large pigs, but 
I felt certain from the general demeanour of the 
elephants that some more important game was not 
far distant. 
The advance continued slowly and steadily. 
Presently I saw the tamarisk’s feathery tops 
moving gently about fifteen paces ahead of the line ; 
the elephants again trumpeted and evinced great 
excitement; this continued at intervals until we at 
length emerged from the tamarisk upon a flat space, 
where the tall grass had been burnt while yet 
unripe, and although killed by the fire and rendered 
transparent, it was a mass of black and yellow that 
would match well with a tiger’s colour. We now 
extended’the line in more open order, to occupy the 
entire space of about 200 yards front; Sanderson 
kept his position in the centre of the line, while I 
