CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
THE BATTLE OF THE WILD PEACOCKS.
There was no longer anything to hinder the field-cornet from commencing the real business of his new life, viz.

the hunting of the elephant.

He resolved, therefore, to begin at once; for until he should succeed in "bagging" a few of these giant animals, he was not easy in his mind.

He might not be able to kill a single one; and then what would become of all his grand hopes and calculations?
They would end in disappointment, and he should find himself in as bad a condition as ever.

Indeed worse: for to fail in any undertaking is not only to lose time, but energy of mind.