They would be less likely to make off from that part of the country, until they--the hunters--had had a "good pull" out of them.
This last consideration was one of great importance.

In a district where elephants have been much hunted, and have learnt what the crack of a gun signifies, a single day's chase will often set them travelling; and they will not bring up again, until they have gone far beyond the reach of the hunters.

Not only the particular individuals that have been chased act in this way; but all the others,--as though warned by their companions,--until not an elephant remains in the district.

This migratory habit is one of the chief difficulties which the elephant-hunter must needs encounter; and, when it occurs, he has no other resource but to change _his_ "sphere of action." On the other hand, where elephants have remained for a long time undisturbed, the report of a gun does not terrify them; and they will bear a good deal of hunting before "showing their heels" and leaving the place.
Swartboy, therefore, rejoiced on perceiving that the old bull had lain down.

The Bushman drew a world of conclusions from that circumstance.
That the elephant had been lying was clear enough.