84 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER CH. 



civilization, the world presented itself in the rosiest 

 of hues ; her dream of love was marred by no 

 obtrusive thoughts on the material side of 

 marriage ; romance was all in all, as it always is to 

 those whose hearts are young. From my know- 

 ledge of the native mind, I 

 can only conjecture this 

 perhaps my own tempera- 

 ment is partially responsible 

 for the surmise. However 

 that may be, on the journey 

 home, Asalie sauntered 

 along, some distance behind 

 her parents, carrying on her 

 head a little native basket, 

 called a majamanda, con- 

 taining some of the good 

 things destined for the 

 marriage festivities. All at 

 once, her parents heard a 

 terrified scream, and looking 

 round were horrified to see 



an elephant rush out of the bush, catch hold 

 of the girl, fling her down and trample her out of 

 recognition. The whole tragedy was enacted in a 

 few moments so swiftly at times does Atropos 

 sever the bright thread of life ! Unfortunately, I 

 was unable to avenge poor Asalie's death, for I was 



' NJEREMBO.' 



