JAUNTS IN THE JUNGLE. 93 



hurry. This was no easy matter to accomplish, how- 

 ever, with a parcel of jolly sailors ; no sooner did 

 they get sight of the stern of an elephant, than a 

 most promiscuous volley was showered into the heads 

 and tails of the astonished quadrupeds, without doing 

 very material damage, for the next moment there was 

 a simultaneous rush from the jungle, and away 

 rattled the whole herd with the exception of one, 

 which rushed straight at the captain of the frigate, 

 and, seizing him in its trunk, made off round the 

 plain ! 



It was the work of a moment ; and had any one 

 attempted to fire, the chances were greater in favour 

 of his killing the man than the elephant. All looked 

 on in dismay and horror, as they saw the old ele- 

 phant pull up in its course every now and then, and 

 seemingly attempt to crush its victim by kneeling on 

 him ; then holding him up in mid-air again, it 

 would apparently exult in its conquest, and contem- 

 plate its prey with very much the same feelings as a 

 cat does a disabled mouse. 



Some pursued the animal, though that was per- 

 fectly useless, and might have only hastened the fate 

 of the unfortunate man already in the jaws of death, 

 when a miracle (for it can be deemed little short of 

 one) saved his life when it was not worth an instant's 

 purchase. 



At this moment the elephant had got into a corner 

 of the plain and was preparing to deal the death- 



