TffE EAGLE OWL. 141 



trees; through clumps of cacti, and tree ferns, 

 starred with many a luminous insect; by 

 hundred-rooted banyan trees, covered with rattans 

 and parasites; along the orchid-clad sides of 

 babbling water courses; we wend our way, 

 breaking through the clinging and thorny 

 tendrils of many a jungle creeper, wading across 

 many a ferny swamp, climbing over the upraised 

 roots of forest giants, or stooping under their 

 spreading branches. 



A sudden snort is heard, then a crash and 

 sound of hurrying feet; and we know that some 

 old boar has been disturbed from his favourite 

 * form.' We fancy we are pulling off leeches again 

 from our bleeding ankles, while pressing through 

 the wet grass. Then that we are being pursued 

 by some * rogue ' elephant, while our comrades' 

 rifle shots sing past us. 



But it is of no avail. The elephant, with 

 springy strides and uplifted trunk is rapidly 

 gaining upon us. His jaws are seething with 

 foam, and his hoarse and angry trumpeting 

 seems to impel him upon his mad career. The 

 pace has grown terrific. Bamboos, guavas, 

 lantana and plantains brush quickly by us : and 

 we see for a minute human forms and firelight. 



Our pursuer has vanished. The sound of 

 voices has awakened us with a start. Our spirits 

 can only wander through these regions alone. 

 Again the sound of English traffic asserts itself, 

 and the chilling feel of winter's breath puts an 

 end to all tropical reverie. We have been 

 day-dreaming. 



