272 * KATCHIBA TAKES COUNSEL'S OPINION. [chap. x. 
like the whistle of a locomotive. “ That will do, we 
shall have it,” said the cunning old rainmaker; and 
proud of having so knowingly obtained “counsels 
opinion ” on his case, he toddled off to his impatient 
subjects. 
In a few days a sudden storm of rain and violent 
thunder added to Katchiba’s renown, and after the 
shower, horns were blowing and nogaras were beating 
in honour of their chief. Entre nous , my whistle was 
considered infallible. 
The natives were busy sowing the new crop just as 
the last crop was ripening. It did not appear likely 
that they would reap much for their labour, as the 
elephants, having an accurate knowledge of the season, 
visited their fields nightly, and devoured and trampled 
the greater portion. I had been too ill to think of 
shooting, as there was no other method than to watch 
in the tullaboon fields at night; the high grass in 
which the elephants harboured being impenetrable. 
Feeling a little better I took my men to the field 
about a mile from the village, and dug a hole in 
which I intended to watch. 
That night I took Eicharn, and we sat together in 
our narrow grave. There was no sound throughout 
the night. I was well wrapped up in a Scotch plaid, 
but an attack of ague came on, and I shivered as 
though in Lapland. I had several rifles in the grave; 
among others the “ Baby,” that carried a half-pound 
explosive shell. At about 4 a.m. I heard the distant 
trumpet of an elephant, and I immediately ordered 
Eicharn to watch, and to report to me their arrival. 
It was extremely dark, but Eicharn presently sank 
slowly down, and whispered, “ Here they are ! ” 
Taking the “Baby,” I quietly rose, and listening 
attentively, I could distinctly hear the elephants tearing 
off the heads of the tullaboon, and crunching the crisp 
grain. I could distinguish the dark forms of the herd 
about thirty paces from me, but much too indistinct 
for a shot. I stood with my elbows resting on the 
