What effect does the appearance of the rifle have on the villagers

they eagerly follow the narrator in pursuit of the elephant

1.the hosts on two opposing mountains stood,  

2.thick as the foliage of the waving wood;  

3.between them an extensive valley lay,  

4.o'er which the gleaming armour pour'd the day,  

5.when from the camp of the philistine foes,

6. dreadful to view, a mighty warrior rose; in the dire deeds of bleeding battle skill'd,

what is the context here? we need to know what story you're talking about : )