promised would exceed anything we had ever witnessed, and prove such as
no European had ever before had an opportunity of joining in.

I was aroused about 3 on the following morning, by the tune of the
'British Grenadiers,' played by the bands of the two regiments, which
marched past my tent on their way to beat the jungle, and I wondered
whether its composer ever imagined that its inspiriting effects would be
exercised upon men bound on so singular a duty as those whose tramp we
now heard becoming fainter and fainter as they wound up the valley. This
was a signal for us to abandon our mattresses, which were always spread
on the ground, in default of a four-poster, but were none the less
comfortable or fascinating to their drowsy occupants on that account. It
was necessary to make such a morning's meal as should be sufficient to
last for 24 hours. This was rather a difficult matter at that early
hour, as we had eaten a large dinner overnight; however, we accomplished
it to the best of our power, and, jumping into our howdah, soon overtook
Jung, whom we accompanied to what was to be the scene of action, a thick
saul jungle on the banks of the Kurroo Nuddee, here a considerable
stream.

Down a hill before us, and by a particular pass, the wild elephants were
to be driven by the united efforts of the gallant rifle corps, a regiment
of infantry, and a hundred elephants; while our party, which comprised an
equal number of these animals, was prepared to receive their brethren of
the woods.

Our patience as sportsmen was destined to be severely tried, and mid-day
came without any elephants having made their appearance: we therefore lit
a huge fire, and, dismounting, partook with Jung of some very nice sweet
biscuits and various specimens of native confectionery, declining the