252 ELEPHANT-HUNTING [ch. x 
We followed footpaths among the fields until we 
reached the edge of the jungle in which the elephants 
stood. 
This jungle lay beside the forest, and at this point 
separated it from the fields. It consisted of a mass of 
rank-growing bushes, allied to the cotton plant, ten or 
twelve feet high, with only here and there a tree. It 
was not good ground in which to hunt elephant, for the 
tangle was practically impenetrable to a hunter save 
along the elephant trails ; whereas the elephants them¬ 
selves could move in any direction at will, with no more 
difficulty than a man would have in a hayfield. The 
bushes in most places rose just above their backs, so 
that they were completely hid from the hunter even a 
few feet away. Yet the cover afforded no shade to the 
mighty beasts, and it seemed strange that elephants 
should stand in it at mid-day with the sun out. There 
they were, however, for, looking cautiously into the 
cover from behind the bushes on a slight hill-crest a 
quarter of a mile off, we could just make out a huge 
ear now and then as it lazily flapped. 
On account of the wind we had to go well to one side 
before entering the jungle. Then in we went in single 
file, Cuninghame and Tarlton leading, with a couple of 
our naked guides. The latter showed no great desire 
to get too close, explaining that the elephants were 
44 very fierce.” Once in the jungle, we trod as quietly 
as possible, threading our way along the elephant trails, 
which crossed and recrossed one another. Evidently it 
was a favourite haunt, for the sign was abundant, both 
old and new. In the impenetrable cover it was quite 
impossible to tell just where the elephants were, and 
twice we sent one of the savages up a tree to locate the 
game. The last time the watcher, who stayed in the 
