We waited patiently in the bed of the river, and the crackling in the jungle sounded closer as the herd evidently approached.

The strip of thick thorny covert that fringed the margin was in no place wider than half a mile; beyond that the country was open and park-like, but at this season it was covered with parched grass from eight to ten feet high.

The elephants would, therefore, most probably remain in the jungle until driven out.
In about a quarter of an hour we knew by the noise in the jungle, about a hundred yards from the river, that the elephants were directly opposite to us.

I accordingly instructed Jali to creep quietly by himself into the bush and to bring me information of their position.

To this he at once agreed.
In three or four minutes he returned.