BACK TO AFRICA. 173 



out arms, awaiting his fate. He had not an instant to 

 Hve, when — shall I ever forget it? — with an agilitj and 

 strength that were marvellous, he sprang between the 

 approaching giants, and in a dozen bounds was at the foot 

 of one of the auxiliary trunks of our banyan and half 

 way up it I 



He had counted upon the difficulty these huge bodies 

 have in turning quickly, and not in vain, for their very 

 number impeded them ; and as they tried to turn, closel}* 

 packed together, they gave Thursday the few seconds 

 necessary to make good his escape, and rejoin us who 

 had given him up as lost. 



This exploit raised my guide immensely in my opinion, 

 for he had shown address, coolness, and strength such as 

 few men possess, and I could not help pressing his hand 

 with real emotion, as he stood once more beside me. 



''I hope 1 have earned my rum," was his first very 

 practical thought and speech I 



I handed it to him, and presented the rest of the party 

 also with a bottle to drink his health. The result of the 

 adventure was that the elephants never left us the rest 

 of the day, and that we made a hearty breakfast that 

 raised our spirits beyond caring for them or their anger. 

 — such is the close relation between the stomach and 

 courao;e. As the natives finished their rum. thev hurled 

 the bottles down on the elephants with all kinds of curses 

 and taunts. It seemed as though the day would never 

 end. But at last the sim befi:an its downward eoui^se. and 



