“Or with himself, for being so delighted at the number and the variety of the animals which fall to his rifle,” replied Swinton, smiling. “There I have you, Major.”
“I grant it,” replied the Major; “but what is that in the river—the back of a hippopotamus?”
“No, it is the back of an elephant, I should rather think; but the reeds are so high, that it is difficult to ascertain. There may be a herd bathing in the river, nothing more likely.”
“Let us stop the caravan; the creaking of these wheels would drive away anything,” replied the Major; “we will then ride forward and see what it is. It is not more than half a mile from us.”
“Be it so,” replied Swinton. “Omrah, get the rifles, and tell Bremen to come here. Now, Major, is it to be a regular hunt, or only a passing shot at them; for I now perceive through my glass that they are elephants?”
“Well, I think a passing shot will be best; for if we are to hunt, we must send a party on the opposite side of the river, and that will be a tedious affair.”
“I think myself it will be better to proceed,” said Swinton; “so, now then to scatter the enemy.”
They soon arrived at that part of the river where they had at a distance discovered the elephants bathing; but as they approached, the high reeds prevented them from seeing the animals, although they could hear them plainly. At last, as they proceeded a little farther up the river, they discovered a female with its young one by its side; the mother playing with its offspring, pouring water over it with its trunk, and now and then pressing it into the water, so as to compel it to swim. They watched the motions of the animals for some time, and the Major first broke silence by saying, “I really have not the heart to fire at the poor creature; its maternal kindness, and the playing of the little one, are too interesting. It would be cruel, now that we do not want meat, for an eland is to be killed every ten minutes.”
“I am glad to hear you say so,” replied Swinton. “Let us fire over them, and set them all in motion.”
“Agreed,” said the Major; “this is to start them,” and he fired off his rifle in the air.