The coffee estates of
Dimboola lay far beneath upon the right, and the high mountains
of Kirigallapotta and Totapella bounded the view upon the left.
There is a good path along the narrow ridge on the summit of the
Elk Plain hills, which has been made by elephants. This runs
along the very top of the knife-like ridge, commanding a view of
the whole country to the right and left. The range is terminated
abruptly by a high peak, which descends in a sheer precipice at
the extremity.
I strolled along the elephant-path, intending to gain the extreme
end of the range for the sake of the view, when I suddenly came
upon the track of a "boar," in the middle of the path. It was
perfectly fresh, as were also the ploughings in the ground close
by, and the water of a small pool was still curling with clouds
of mud, showing most plainly that he had been disturbed from his
wallowing by my noise in ascending the mountain-side.
There was no avoiding the find; and away went "Bluebeard,"
"Ploughboy," "Gaylass" and all the leading hounds, followed by
the whole pack, in full chorus, straight along the path at top
speed. Presently they turned sharp to the left into the thick
jungle, dashing down the hillside as though off to the Elk Plains
below.
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