BACK TO AFRICA. 169 



" Its danger lies in our number. Were you and I 

 alone, we might easily make use of it. You see these 

 almost horizontal branches, running oft' to the different 

 tree trunks ? " 



"Yes. Well?" 



" Well, at night we might, if alone, creep silently 

 along these, holding our breath, until we reached the 

 nearest clearing, perhaps a hundred yards away, and 

 then drop to the ground and run for our lives." 



" That does not sound very difficult. What is your 

 objection to it ?" 



" Because, although he does not see at night so well 

 as the lion or the tiger, still, the elephant discerns 

 objects well enough to guide himself in the dark, and 

 his hearing is very acute ; so that at the least noise on 

 our part, the guards would follow us from tree to tree 

 to crush us when we dropped to their reach." 



" Never mind, this is our onl}^ chance, and we mui^t try 

 it to-night, before we grow weak from lack of food." 



" All right, but it will be wise to separate in couples. 

 I will take you first, then my wife and child, and the 

 two guides last, by themselves." 



'•Wouldn't it be a good idea for those left behind to 

 make as nuicli noise as possible, to draw the attention 

 of the elephants, and cover our retreat?" 



•' Yes, and I should not have thought of it," acknowl- 

 edged my guide; "it will double our chances." 



'• Then you think there is a chance ? " 



