We also didn't know whether he was coming or going or whether he was on our trail or some other one of the maze of trails.
We quickly prepared for the worst.

With our three heavy guns we crouched in the trail, waiting for the huge bulk of an elephant to loom up before us.

Then came another thunderous crash to our right--and it seemed scarcely fifty yards away.

Then a shrill squeal of a startled elephant off to our left and still another to the rear.

Some elephants had evidently just caught our scent, and if the rest of the elephants became alarmed and started a stampede through the bush the situation would become extremely irksome for a man of quiet-loving tendencies.