第45章

There could not be a better spot for boar-spearing, as the ground is level and clear for riding.There were numerous herds of deer and buffaloes, but we did not fire a shot, as we had determined upon an interview with the rogue.We traversed about four miles of this style of country, and were crossing a small plain, when our guide suddenly stopped and pointed to the elephant, who was about a quarter of a mile distant.He was standing on a little glade of about fifty yards across;this was surrounded upon all sides but one with dense thorny jungle, and he therefore stood in a small bay of open ground.It was a difficult position for an attack.The wind blew directly from us to him, therefore an advance in that direction was out of the question; on the other hand, if we made a circuit so as to get the wind, we should have to penetrate through the thorny jungle to arrive at him, and we should then have the five o'clock sun directly in our eyes.However, there was no alternative, and, after a little consultation, the latter plan was resolved upon.

Dismounting, we ordered the horse-keepers to conceal the horses and themselves behind a thick bush, lest the elephant should observe them, and with this precaution we advanced, making a circuit of nearly a mile to obtain the wind.On arrival at the belt of thick jungle which divided us from the small glade upon which he stood, I perceived, as I had expected, that the sun was full in our eyes.This was a disadvantage which I felt convinced would lose us the elephant, unless some extraordinary chance intervened; however, we entered the thick jungle before us, and cautiously pushed our way through it.This belt was not more than fifty yards in width, and we soon broke upon the small glade.

The elephant was standing with his back towards us, at about forty paces distant, close to the thick jungle by his side; and, taking my four-ounce rifle, I walked quietly but quickly towards him.Without a moment's warning he flung his trunk straight up, and, turning sharp round, he at once charged into us.The sun shone full in my eyes, so that I could do nothing but fire somewhere at his head.He fell, but immediately recovered himself, and before the smoke had cleared away he was in full retreat through the thorny jungle, the heavy ball having taken all the pluck out of him.This was just as I had expected; pursuit in such a jungle was impossible, and I was perfectly contented with having turned him.