BACK TO AFRICA. 161 



utter terrible cries, waving her trunk back and forth as 

 if to threaten us. 



"Don't go too near," Thursday cautioned me. " See ! " 

 As he spoke he hekl out toward the angry beast a 

 bamboo rod, which she grasped, almost dragging him with, 

 it, and broke into a thousand pieces, which she threw back 

 at us with greater force than accuracy. This was followed 

 by small stones and lumps of earth, her fury seeming to 

 increase each moment, and her cries growing louder and 

 more penetrating. 



" We shall have the whole herd down upon us, if this 

 goes on," muttered my guide, and, as if to confirm his 

 statement, the distant trumpetings of many elephants 

 could be heard answering their companion. Evidently 

 the safest thing to do was to retreat as quickly as possi- 

 ble ; but we had hardly reached our tree of refuge before 

 the advance guard appeared on the edge of the clearing, 

 and behind, hundreds of trunks and mighty heads were 

 visible among the branches ; the former like great ser- 

 pents in motion, winding round and uprooting any trees 

 in the way of the herd's advance. It was a terrible and 

 inspiring sight to see this army of faithful friends hurry- 

 ing to the assistance of their comrade, whose cries were 

 now of joy. In an instant two of the animals laid hold 

 upon her and freed her from the pit, and surrounding 

 her, the herd testified to their joy at finding her, in 

 almost human caresses. All this lasted but a few mo- 

 ments, and they turned for revenge upon those who had 



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