160 
ON SAFARI 
however, we found it impossible to take possession, 
owing to the aggressive attitude and dangerous temper 
now displayed by the main troop, which had ranged up 
in solid phalanx just beyond the fallen bull. No sooner 
had they regained firm ground than the whole demean¬ 
our of the elephants changed. Instead of retreating 
passively, they now faced about in open defiance, formed 
in battle array, ready to take the offensive. With trunks 
upraised on every side, ears cocked, and a chorus of 
5 ‘ COLLAPSED STERN-FIRST. 
explosive grunts varied by shrieks of rage, there was no 
mistaking their temper ; and after watching the magni¬ 
ficent scene for a few moments, we decided to retire, 
abandoning our last prize to the enemy. There were, 
in fact, no more good bulls among the herd ; so we 
retreated camp wards—to lunch, passing by the three 
huge carcasses lying like islands among the reeds. 
The affair had occupied probably no more than a 
hundred crowded minutes—many of these as full as 
whole epochs of routine existence ; and the above pages 
describe the main facts as such can be put down on 
