" It is all over " 251 



swiftly over the ground ; trees upon trees flash past. 

 . . . Behind us the shrill cries stop, but on our heels 

 are heavy footsteps which shake the ground ; a 

 powerful, spasmodic breathing is heard ; then, warm 

 air passes over my shoulders and neck. . . . Heavens ! 

 it is its trunk! . . . "Tchitamba ! tchitamba !" (trunk), 

 murmurs the wretched fellow at my side. On we 

 fly, maddened and blinded, bruising ourselves in 

 grazing trees, insensible either to thorns which tear 

 us or to branches which whip our faces. ... It is 

 useless ! . . . I shall soon grow feeble and fall. . . . 

 Then I hear, as in a dream, the cry, " A mala ! " (" It 

 is all over "), uttered in despairing accents, and I see a 

 body rise in the air. ... I am alone. . . . The noise 

 has ceased. ... I continue running for a few seconds 

 unconsciously, but the awakening comes. ... I stop, 

 and the terrible reality stares me in the face. . . . 

 Yes : I am saved ; but the other is dead ! and 

 through my fault. . . . Eemorse and regret complete 

 my distraction. ... I lean against a tree, faltering, 

 overcome. . . . 



However, after a time, reflection and calm return. 

 I listen. There is little noise. My heart hesitates 

 between the danger which is there and the desire to 

 aid my servant. After a little struggle, I decide to 

 retrace my steps, unarmed. 



Still trembling, I advance carefully, and soon get 

 a back view of the elephant, which has stopped in 

 the middle of the thicket. Its head is low and its 

 trunk hangs down ; it grunts slightly and begins to 

 move slowly. ... I draw near at once ; but it stops 



