CHAP. VII.] 
ELEPHANT HUNT. 
265 
hundred yards from us, apparently the leaders of an 
approaching herd. The ground was exceedingly favour¬ 
able, being tolerably open, and yet with sufficient bush 
to afford a slight cover. Presently, several elephants 
appeared and joined the two leaders—there was evi¬ 
dently a considerable number in the herd, and I was 
on the point of dismounting to take the first shot on 
foot, when the Latookas, too eager, approached the 
herd; their red and blue helmets at once attracted 
the attention of the elephants, and a tremendous rush 
took place, the whole herd closing together and tearing 
off at full speed. “ Follow me !” I hallooed to my men, 
and touching my horse with the spur, I intended to 
dash into the midst of the herd. Just at that instant, 
in his start, my horse slipped and fell suddenly upon 
his side, falling upon my right leg and thus pinning 
me to the ground. He was not up to my weight, and 
releasing myself, I immediately mounted my old 
Abyssinian hunter, “ Tetel,” and followed the tracks 
of the elephants at full speed, accompanied by two of 
the Latookas, who ran like hounds. Galloping through 
the green but thornless bush, I soon came in sight of a 
grand bull elephant, steaming along like a locomotive 
engine straight before me. Digging in the spurs, I 
was soon within twenty yards of him; but the ground 
was so unfavourable, being full of buffalo holes, that I 
