222 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE.

two hours before anything was to be seen or heard of the
elephants, although I knew they were within 500 yards of
me. At length, about the distance of 300 yards from the
- water, an unusually large elephant issued from the dense cover,
and advanced cautiously across the open ground to within
100 yards of the tank, where he stood perfectly motionless.
So quiet had the elephants become (although they had been
roaring and breaking the jungle throughout the day and
evening) that not a movement was now to be heard. The
huge vidette remained in his position, still as a rock, for a
few minutes, and then made three successive stealthy advances
of several yards (halting for some minutes between each, with
ears bent forward to catch the slightest sound), and in this
way he moved slowly up to the water’s edge. Still he did
not venture to quench his thirst; for though his forefeet were
partially in the tank, and his vast body was reflected clear
in the water, he remained for some minutes listening in per-
fect stillness. Not a motion could be perceived in himself
or his shadow. He returned cautiously and slowly to the
position he had at first taken up on emerging from the forest.
Here in a little while he was joined by five others, with which
he again proceeded as cautiously but less slowly than before,
to within a few yards of the tank, and then posted his patrols.
He then re-entered the forest and collected around him the
whole herd, which must have amounted to between eighty
and a hundred individuals, led them across the open ground
with the most extraordinary composure and quietness till he
joined the advance guard, when he left them for a moment
and repeated his former reconnaissance at the edge of the
tank. After which and having apparently satisfied himself
that all was safe, he returned and obviously gave the order
to advance, for in a moment the whole herd rushed into the
water with a degree of unreserved confidence, so opposite to
the caution and timidity which had marked their previous
movements, that nothing will ever persuade me that there was