t
fellows are the Cingalese at making a noise, and a grand effect this
had upon the elephants; up went tails and trunks, the whole herd closed
together and made a simultaneous rush for their old thoroughfare. Away
we skipped through the water, straight in shore through the forest,
until we reached the dry ground, when, turning sharp to our right, we
soon halted exactly opposite the point at which we knew the elephants
would enter the forest. This was grand excitement; we had a great start
of the herd, so that we had plenty of time to arrange gun-bearers and
take our position for the rencontre.

In the mean time, the roar of water caused by the rapid passage of so
many large animals approached nearer and nearer. Palliser and I had
taken splendid positions, so as to command either side of the herd on
their arrival, with our gun-bearers squatted around us behind our
respective trees, while the non-sporting village followers, who now
began to think the matter rather serious and totally devoid of fun,
scrambled up various large trees with ape-like activity.

A few minutes of glorious suspense, and the grand crash and roar of
broken water approached close at hand, and we distinguished the mighty
phalanx, headed by the largest elephants, bearing down exactly upon us,
and not a hundred yards distant. Here was luck! There was a grim and
very murderous smile of satisfaction on either countenance as we
quietly cocked the rifles and awaited the onset: it was our intention
to let half the herd pass us before we opened upon them, as we should
then be in the very centre of the mass, and he able to get good and
rapid shooting.

On came the herd in gallant style, throwing the spray from the muddy
water, and keeping a direct line for our concealed position. They were
within twenty yards, and we were still undiscovered, when those
rascally villagers, who had already taken to the trees, scrambled still
higher in their fright at the close approach of the elephants, and by
this movement they gave immediate alarm to the elders of the herd.

Round went the colossal heads; right about was the word, and away
dashed the whole herd back toward the tank. In the same instant we
made a rush in among them, and I floored one of the big leaders by a
shot behind the ear, and immediately after, as bad luck would have it,
Palliser and I both took the same bird, and down went another to the
joint shots. Palliser then got another shot and bagged on