190 THE ELEPHANT. 



most intrepid hunter succumbs at last. Not long 

 since, pursued by a rhinoceros, I was about to leap 

 down a precipice, of the depth of which I was ignorant. 

 No, sir, this life of dangers is not desirable. Would 

 you believe that one day, not having any food, I was 

 obliged to eat the leather of my shoes ?" 



