One of them, a good-looking young _gowala_, or cowherd, followed along the footprints, examining each to be sure he was not going on a false spoor; he moved slowly, scrutinising each hole, as the traces grew shallower on the rising ground, approaching a bit of small jungle.

My sight followed the probable course of the track ahead of him and something caught my eyes, which are remarkably good, even at a great distance.

The object was brown and hairy; a dark brown, not the kind of colour one expects to see in the jungle in September.

I looked closely, and was satisfied that it must be part of an animal; still more clearly I saw it, and no doubt remained in my mind; it was the head of a bullock or a heifer.

I shouted to the man to be careful, to stop and let the elephants plough through the undergrowth, as only elephants can.