He Made A
Noble Bridge, And, Jumping Upon His Carcass, We Cleared The Ravine, And
Again The Chase Continued, Although The Herd Had Now Gained About Thirty
Paces.
Upon a fine meadow of grass, about four feet high, the herd now rushed
along in a compact mass extending in a broad line of massive
hind-quarters over a surface of half an acre.
This space formed a
complete street in their wake, as they levelled everything before them;
and the high grass stood up on either side like a wail.
Along this level road we ran at full speed, and by great exertions
managed to keep within twenty yards of the game. Full a quarter of a
mile was passed at this pace without a shot being fired. At length one
elephant turned and faced about exactly in front of me. My three
double-barrelled rifles were now all empty, and I was carrying the
little No. 16 gun. I killed him with the right-hand barrel, but I lost
ground by stopping to fire.
A jungle lay about two hundred yards in front of the herd, and they
increased their speed to arrive at this place of refuge.
Giving the little gun, with one barrel still loaded, to Wallace, I took
the four-ounce rifle in exchange, as I knew I could not close up with
the herd before they reached the jungle, and a long shot would be my
last chance. With this heavy gun (21 lbs.) I had hard work to keep my
distance, which was about forty yards from the herd.
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