Several Large Trees And A Few Bushes Grew Upon The Surface,
But For The Most Part It Was Covered By
A short though luxuriant grass.
One large tree grew within fifty yards of the extreme point of the
promontory, and
Another of the same kind grew at an equal distance from
it, but nearer to the main land. Upon both these trees was a coat of
thick mud not many hours old. The bark was rubbed completely away, and
this appeared to have been used for years as a favourite rubbing-post by
some immense elephant. The mud reached full twelve feet up the trunk of
the tree, and there were old marks far above this which had been scored
by his tusks. There was no doubt that one of these tank rogues of
extraordinary size had frequented this spot for years, and still
continued to do so, the mud upon the tree being still soft, as though it
had been left there that morning. I already coveted him, and having my
telescope with me, I took a minute survey of the opposite shore, which
was about half a mile distant and was lined with fine open forest to the
water's edge. Nothing was visible. I examined the other side of the lake
with the same want of success. Although it was such a quiet spot, with
beautiful grass and water, there was not a single head of game to be
seen. Again I scrutinised the opposite shore. The glass was no sooner
raised to my eye than I started at the unexpected apparition. There was
no mistaking him; he had appeared as
though by magic--an elephant of the most extraordinary size that I have
ever seen. He was not still for an instant, but was stalking quickly up
and down the edge of the lake as though in great agitation. This
restlessness is one of the chief characteristics of a bad rogue. I
watched him for a few minutes, until he at length took to the water, and
after blowing several streams over his shoulders, he advanced to the
middle of the tank, where he commenced feeding upon the lotus leaves and
sedges.
It was a calm afternoon, and not a breath of air was stirring; and
fearing lest the noise of the coolies, who were arranging the
encampment, should disturb him, I hastened back. I soon restored quiet,
and ordering the horses to be led into the jungle lest he should
discover them, I made the people conceal themselves; and taking my two
Moormen gun-bearers, who were trusty fellows that I had frequently shot
with, I crept cautiously back to my former position, and took my station
behind the large tree farthest from the point which commanded the
favourite rubbing-post and within fifty yards of it. From this place I
attentively watched his movements. He was wandering about in the water,
alternately feeding and bathing, and there was a peculiar devilry in his
movements that marked him as a rogue of the first class.
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