e more, when
the herd pushed straight out to the deep lake, with the exception of a
few elephants, who turned to the right; after which Palliser hurried
through the mud and water, while I put on all steam in chase of the
main body of the herd. It is astonishing to what an amount a man can
get up this said steam in such a pitch of excitement. However, it was
of no use in this case, as I was soon hip-deep in water, and there was
an end to all pursuit in that direction.

It immediately struck me that the elephants would again retreat to some
other part of the forest after having made a circuit in the tank. I
accordingly waded back at my best speed to terra firma, and then
striking off to my right, I ran along parallel to the water for about
half a mile, fully expecting to meet the herd once more on their
entrance to the jungle. It was now that I deplored the absence of my
regular gun-bearers; the village people had no taste for this gigantic
scale of amusement, and the men who carried my guns would not keep up;
Fortunately, Carrasi, the best gun-bearer, was there, and he had taken
another loaded rifle, after handing me that which he had carried at the
onset. I waited a few moments for the lagging men, and succeeded in
getting them well together just is I heard the rush of water, as the
elephants were again entering the jungle, not far in advance of the
spot upon which I stood.

This time they were sharp on the qui vive, and the bulls, being well to
the front, were keeping a bright look-out. It was in vain that I
endeavored to conceal myself until the herd had got well into the
forest; the gun-bearers behind me did not take the same precaution, and
the leading elephants both saw and winded us when at a hundred paces
distant. This time, however, they were determined to push on for a
piece of thicker jungle, which they knew lay in this direction, and
upon seeing me running toward them, they did not turn back to the lake,
but slightly altered their course in an oblique direction, still
continuing to push on through the forest, while I was approaching at
right angles with the herd.

Hallooing and screaming at them with all my might to tease some of the
old bulls into a charge, I ran at top speed through the fine open
forest, and soon got among a whole crowd of half-grown elephants, at
which I would not fire; there were a lot of fine beasts pushing along
in the front, and toward these I ran as hard as I could go.
Unfor