86 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. v 



scene, and their naked figures and wild gestures, now 

 brought into strong relief against the dark back- 

 ground, and anon but dimly seen in the uncertain 

 light of the large log fires, recalled vividly to my 

 mind the pictures, in an old book at home of Captain 

 Cook's voyages, of the South Sea Islanders dancing 

 round the fire during the preparation of a savoury 

 meal of human flesh. 



As we were a long way from the elephants' 

 drinking-place, and a little license must always be 

 allowed after a successful day's hunt, I let them have 

 their fling, and they kept it up, eating, dancing, and 

 singing at intervals, till after midnight ; at length, 

 however, tired nature asserted her sway, and we all 

 slept soundly till daylight. 



