I had advanced some four miles in the jungle, which was anything but a straight path, when my horse began to snort and show signs of uneasiness. On entering the next bend, I saw, to my horror, a huge elephant blocking the way. Remembering instructions, I held up my arms and bellowed out, which drew attention. He put out his trunk, as if to smell what I was, and trumpeted. The sound pierced through me. He flapped his ears, which looked like barn-doors, and rushed at me. My horse sprang round in the narrow jungle-path. The elephant was then close, and nothing but my hat coming off, which he stopped to examine, gave me a start. The ground was uneven, being, in fact, the dried-up bed of a mountain stream. As I had to avoid obstacles at times, the brute gained on me, I meanwhile suffering the torture of fright. After some four miles, coming to the edge of a lake, which I had passed in the morning, I observed that the elephant had stopped. [Illustration: _An Elephant in Chase._] My horse was not fit for many yards further, and the heat of the sun reminded me I had no hat. I pulled up to have a look at my enemy, who placed himself on the edge of the jungle I had just cleared. I profited by this to make a head-covering of my pocket-handkerchief, then carefully examined the monster, feeling I had the advantage of level ground. With his trunk he threw up an amount of dust and dirt, which descended on his back, driving away clouds of flies. One would have thought his hide impervious to such tiny foes. I continued my retreat, with such speed and dignity as my poor horse was capable of, to the rest-house. I found my companions luxuriating in sleep and tobacco. Exhausted by my adventure, I threw myself into a chair and sang out “Grog!” One of my friends remarked: “Why, it’s Keppel back again!” I had strength enough to exclaim I had seen an elephant, which caused a roar of laughter. They declared I must have come across a rogue detached from the herd. Soon refreshed, I stated that I must start again for the harbour. The good Adjutant, John Edward Bull, kindly lent me his horse. I described the place where I had left the elephant, and as they did not think he would have moved far, my friends decided to try a shot at him. Unfortunately, on examining the ammunition, they found themselves prepared for snipe only. I then asked for a convoy. The whole party turned out, and two coolies were told off to keep a hundred yards in advance. We found the elephant where I left him. He charged the coolies, who plunged into the lake, re-landing in the jungle; the elephant disappeared. The party returned to the rest-house, while I went on my way. Before sighting the advance, my nerves got another shock. I heard a crash through the jungle. It was no use retreating. A glimpse of daylight broke from above, showing a troop of a thousand monkeys, jumping in a westerly direction along the upper branches of the jungle bushes. On discerning me chattering increased.