Instead of following behind him, I kept almost in a line, but a few feet
on one side, otherwise I knew that should he fire, I should see nothing
for the smoke of his shot. This precaution was not thrown away. The
elephants were about fifty yards from the entrance to the jungle, and we
were of course up to them in a few minutes. Palliser took a steady shot
at a fine elephant about eight yards from him, and fired.
The only effect produced was a furious charge right into us!
Away went all the gun-bearers except Wallace as hard as they could run,
completely panic-stricken. Palliser and Wortley jumped to one side to
get clear of the smoke, which hung like a cloud before them; and having
taken my position with the expectation of something of this kind, I had
a fine clear forehead shot as the elephant came rushing on; and I
dropped him dead.
The gun-bearers were in such a fright that they never stopped till they
got out on the patina.
The herd had of course gone off at the alarm of the firing, and we got a
glimpse of the old 'rogue' as he was taking to the jungle.
