This was arduous work, as we had great difficulty in carrying the guns so as to avoid the slightest noise.

I was leading the way, and could distinctly hear the rustling of the leaves as the elephants moved their ears.

We were now within a few feet of them, but not an inch of their bodies could be seen, so effectually were they hidden by the thick jungle.

Suddenly we heard the prolonged wh-r-r, wh-r-r-r-r-r, as one of the elephants winded us: the shrill trumpet sounded in another direction, and the crash through the jungle took place which nothing but an elephant can produce.
In such dense jungle, where the elephants are invisible, this crash is most exciting if close at hand, as in the present instance.
It is at the first burst impossible to tell whether the elephant is coming at you or rushing away.

In either case it is extremely dangerous, as these chena jungles are almost devoid of trees; thus there is no cover of sufficient strength to protect a man should he attempt to jump on one side, and he may even be run over by accident.
A few moments assured us of their retreat, and we instantly followed upon their track, running at full speed along the lane which they had crushed in their headlong flight.