Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19

fathers of these elephants, q hundred thou
sand years Of them, and here they were, utterly
at home and unconcerned.
1t was the very unconcernedness Of their
noises that was the most diSquieting, for there
was an element of disquiet IN our situation that
does not have to be explained. OEnart said,
every dangerous" and waited for developments
with his impressive Moslem calm. Ali was more
intent upon concea1ment in an overhang OF
bushes Every time the beast back Of me blew
bubbles Ali grinned wryly at me and his lips
framed "karibu' (near), which wasn't any news.
The guides were beautifully nonchalant.
They were as much at home in this forest as
the elephants, though their forefathers had
fewer years of tenancy, and they slipped from
tree bole to grass blade with the sure and
eternal vigilance Of wild things in their jungleS.
They had, too, a large and unqueStioning con-
fdence in the white mans magic
THE branches were waving again, farther
away from us this time. That elephant
was feeding along the bank and apparently not
coming across. Our youngest cannibal slipped
OF through the marsh to investigate and after
time came back to report that he had got
UP to the elephant and that it was the big
bull with long tusks. He was going into the
forest now, away from the marsh.
It has been marvellous thing to me, all
through the forest, the way natives slip up
and watch elephants. They act utterly with
out fear, relying on the elephants poor sight
If it is poor, which am not so sure ot-and
their own agility and silent footedneSs. The
chunky young cannibal who led today was
wonder; he looked anything but wrath,
but he behaved like one We tried to initiate
him as well as clumsy leather and khaki would
permit but we made considerable noise, though
I reflected that the elephants were making so
much themselves that little more ought not
to disturb them.
Now our cannibal led us of the path to the
fPoo fI1a tTSk
the spoor TO- the place where we had seen a
tree shaken. There we found q rtvor quietly
emptying itself into the marsh and, Of course,
the elephant had crossed that, so we waded
over, waist deep, and picked UP the tracks
again The trail meandered about unhurrtedly,
crossing the river again. Sometimes our ele-
plant strolled down age-old elephants paths
that were broad and deep, like winding can
yons through the green; sometimes he rambled
about on his own sweet way, tramping out
fresh path for himself.
Omari breathed to nae that the chunky guide
leading had said that we were coming TO an
open space where we could see the elephants,
and in that hope we went on. Soon the boy
gestured US to wait and stole ahead to recon-
hotter, then he came back and led US, creeping
on all fours, to screen Of bushes. He went
in first, OMAR and I after him, as was to
have the first shot, Herbert and ALI close to us.
The cannibal smiled at me triumphant smile
which said that at last should see and ges-
tured me to his place. I crawIed into it, as he
vanished behind me, and lifted the branch.
expected to strain my eyes to discern the
dim form Of distant elephant in the brush.
I fairly flattened my eyebaI against that ele-
plants front leg. Actually suppose was IL
feet away. I don't really believe was, but
Herbert insists on 1t. However, what Is IL feet
between you and an elephant?
For a second didn't know what was look
ing at, 50 strange was that expanse Of hide, red
with sun, with bagging creases like dark can
yons. Then saw. shall never forget the
redness OF that leg and the loose, ungartered
look of it.
Delicately. very delicateiy, I Let fall that