A MIRACULOUS ESCXHT 



his trunk, and P , to his intense horror and consterna- 

 tion, found himself gradually drawn towards the ground, 

 as the bough bent under the strain ! The branch creaked 

 and must soon have parted, when providentially the rope 

 snapped and the bough, rebounding with considerable 

 force, nearly accomplished what the elephant had been so 



long attempting to do. Fortunately, however, P was 



prepared and, though much bruised and shaken, still 

 held on. 



Now came his opportunity. The elephant, for the 

 moment taken by surprise, stood still, gazing upwards, and 



P , placing the muzzle of his rifle between his left arm 



and the bough, fired it at the brute's head, hitting him 

 apparently, but too high up for the shot to be fatal. 

 Maddened with rage and pain, the now doubly infuriated 

 animal dashed at the tree again but, missing it in his head- 

 long charge, passed on, giving P time to fire the 



second barrel, which he did, apparently with considerable 

 effect, for the elephant on receiving the shot seemed to 

 quicken its pace and dashed into the jungle. By this time 



P had put in fresh cartridges, and he now fired both 



barrels in quick succession at what he could see of the 

 retreating animal through the trees. These shots evidently 

 settled any doubt the elephant might have had as to 

 returning to the attack, for he continued his flight, as could 

 be guessed from the sounds of his heavy tread and the 

 crashing of the jungle, which became fainter and fainter 

 till finally lost altogether in the distance. 



P - had now leisure to consider his position, and 

 could not but feel thankful for his marvellous escape. Not 

 that he was by any means out of the wood yet, in more 

 senses than one. Consulting his watch he found it was but 

 little past one o'clock, and he could look for no succour for 

 another four or five hours to come. In the meanwhile 

 the elephant might return at any moment he knew full 

 well the vindictive disposition of these animals, particularly 

 the solitary " rogues " and if this one did return, further 

 infuriated as it was by the wounds it had received, it 

 would not be likely to retire again without making every 

 effort to obtain its revenge. It was, therefore, necessary 

 to be fully prepared for such a contingency. But what 



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