Page 39 - Malay sketches

A FISHING PICNIC

them here where, in the gloom of the forest, they
are not needed. The first two or three elephants
move off quickly, and, having turned a corner in the
path, disappear. It is necessary to proceed in Indian
and as the next comes to this corner
file, elephant
he and his company are assailed by a perfect shower
of missiles (the jungle fruit) from the riders of the
first section of elephants who are slily waiting here
to surprise those behind. The attack is returned
with interest and the battle wages hot and furious.
The leaders of the rear column try to force their
those who the and
way past dispute path with them,
either succeed or put the enemy to flight only to find
a succession of ambuscades laid for them, each
resulting in a deadly struggle, and so, throughout
the length of the forest, the more venturesome
pushing their way to the front or taking up an
independent line and making enemies of all comers,
until, at last, the whole party clears the jungle and,
taking open order, a succession of wild charges soon
one into the of am-
gets every fray and, the supply
munition having run out, there is nothing left but to
count the damage done.
It is in broken umbrellas which have
principally
been used as shields, but some garments are stained,
and there may be a few bruises treated with much
23