Lieutenant Baker cantered back to his men, while I commenced to write up
my daily journal according to my daily custom.
In about a quarter of an hour, the sentry reported a herd of elephants.
All my people clambered up upon the googoos and buts to obtain a good
view of the herd, which from the high poop-deck of the diahbeeah we
could see distinctly.
There were eleven bulls, and they were marching in close order along the
bank of the river, approaching us at about 400 yards' distance.
I should have thought it almost as likely to meet a herd of elephants in
Hyde Park as to find them in this open and thickly-populated country. I
now distinguished natives along the distant heights, all of whom were
attracted by the uncommon occurrence.
In the mean time the elephants approached, swinging their trunks and
huge ears to and fro, apparently unconscious of the presence of the
vessels and people.
I always kept my guns and ammunition in beautiful order, arranged on a
rack in the cabin. On the left-hand side were the shotguns, i.e., two
breechloading No. 12; four muzzleloading No. 10. On the right, the
rifles: the little "Dutchman," two breechloading Reilly No.
