The Monarchs of the Herd 5 1 



through their midst. He went straight towards 

 the tusker with whom he had been brought up, 

 his companion in long servitude under the now 

 vanquished herd-bull, and without pretext, save 

 that of fully roused passions, attacked him on 

 the instant. The other received the shock 

 without a tremor, and in the contact the lust of 

 fighting seemed to be communicated to him. 

 He pushed, and felt his already exhausted 

 antagonist yield ground ; he redoubled his 

 efforts, and the enemy first gave way, then 

 suddenly slipped and fell. In a moment two 

 sharp tusks were 

 buried in his side ; 

 again and again till 

 the soil was reddened 

 and the victor stood 

 with uplifted trunk, 

 with crimson tusks, 

 and glared around 

 for any other adversary. There was none to 

 withstand him, and he entered into his kingdom 

 over the necks of his two defeated foes. 

 Meantime the vanquished herd- bull was 



