It was difficult to obtain a shot, as the elephants were end on. The
distance was about 110 yards, which is very uncertain for so large an
animal, that must be struck exactly in the right place.
I fired several shots with the No. 8 breechloader, aimed at the back of
their heads, but none of these were successful.
Monsoor had the ammunition, and reloaded for me. The stunning effect of
the heavy metal confused the animals and caused one to fall backward
into the scrambling herd. This turned an elephant sideways. The bank had
already given way and had fallen in large masses into the water, which
reduced the depth. The elephants, which had now gained a muddy footing,
ploughed and tore down the yielding earth with redoubled vigour, as my
men in great excitement opened a hot fire upon them with the snider
rifles. These had about as much effect as though they had been pelted
with stones.
Presently, as the depth was lessened by the falling bank, the elephants
showed more body above the surface. The splashing and scrambling was
extraordinary; at length a large bull half ascended the bank, and for a
moment exposed his flank; I fired a quick right and left shot with a
Reilly No. 8 behind his shoulder, and he fell backwards into the river,
where he commenced a series of wild struggles that brought him within
twenty yards of me, and I sent a ball into his head which killed him.
The powerful stream at once carried away the floating carcase.
The bank had now completely given way, and an elephant was nearly on the
summit. I fired at him with one of the Holland half-pounders, which by
the recoil flew out of my hands for a distance of several yards; this
was loaded with twelve drachms of fine-grain powder. The elephant fell
on his knees on the steep incline, and was bagged to all intents and
purposes, but believing that I had plenty of ammunition at hand, I fired
another half-pounder into his shoulder, which killed him on the spot,
and he rolled into the water, and the current took him away.
I immediately sent a man to order boats, with ropes and axes, to follow
the carcases.
In the mean time I fired my last No. 8 into the shoulder of an elephant
that had just climbed the bank and gained the island. I now had a
glorious opportunity of a shoulder-shot at every animal as it should
ascend the steep incline.
My ammunition was exhausted! My servant, Suleiman, had sent the little
bag that contained only one reload for the breech-loaders, and no
powder flask or shells for the half-pounders.
