I Had Thus Two Points For A Defensive
Retreat, Should It Be Necessary.
I had experienced considerable difficulty in attaining my position at
the tamarind-tree without being observed by the elephant; fortunately, I
had both the wind and the sun favourable, the latter shining from my
back full into the lake.
The elephant was standing with his back to the shore exactly in a line
with me, and he was swinging his great head from side to side, and
flapping his ears in the enjoyment of his bath. I left the tree with my
four-ounce rile, and, keeping in a direct line for his hind-quarters, I
walked towards him. The grass was soft and short; I could therefore
approach without the slightest noise: the only danger of being
discovered was in the chance that I might be seen as he swung his head
continually on either side. This I avoided by altering my course as I
saw his head in the act of coming round, and I soon stood on the edge of
the lake exactly behind him, at about 120 yards. He was a noble-looking
fellow, every inch a rogue, his head almost white with numerous
flesh-coloured spots. These give a savage and disgusting appearance to
an elephant, and altogether he looked a formidable opponent. I had
intended to shout on arriving at my present position, and then to wait
for the front shot as he charged; but on looking back to the
tamarind-tree and my proposed course for retreat, the distance appeared
so great, rendered still more difficult by a gradual ascent, that I felt
it would be impossible to escape if my chance lay in running.
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