172 HUNTING IN THE JUNGLE. 



" You would do better to have one of your companions 

 go. 



"•No, I want all the rum for myself." 



" As you like." 



"While he was speaking he began to unwind the coco 

 fibre girdle that he wore, and handed it to me, watching 

 our captors grazing at a little distance. I tied a slip 

 noose in the other end, and the two natives stood 

 ready to heave on the line when it should be attached 

 to the coveted prize. Success seemed possible, though 

 uncertain, as he gently slid down the trunk, on the side 

 farthest from the enemy. I stood breathless, watching 

 the latter, and ready to give the signal that his move- 

 ments were noticed. Everything went well until he 

 touched the ground, when the whole herd caught sight 

 of him simultaneously, and charged upon him with 

 surprising speed. 



'• Back, quick ! " I shouted, " or you are lost ! " 



Without listening to my caution he reached the box at 

 a bound, raised it, passed the cord around it, and the 

 natives drew it up in an instant. Then the guide turned 

 to escape, but too late! The furious brutes were not 

 ten paces from him, and would have pulled him down 

 had he started to ascend. He was lost! We shouted 

 and yelled to distract the elephants' attention, and the 

 woman and her child uttered heart-rending screams, but 

 in vain. 



The African stood firm, his back ao:ainst the tree, with- 



