202 CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



to accomplish. Among tin- groves of mimosa trees, which were thinly sprinkled over the grassy 

 meadows along the river's margin, the traces of the elephants were not less apparent. Immense 

 numlM-rs of these trees had been torn out of the ground and placed in an inverted position, in order to 

 i>n:ilIe the animals to browse at their ease on the soft and juicy roots, which form a favourite part of 

 their food. I observed that in numerous instances where the trees were of considerable size, the elephant 

 had employed one of his tusks exactly as we should use a crow-bar, thrusting it under the roots to 

 loosen their hold of the earth before he could tear them up with his proboscis. Many of the larger 

 mimosas had resisted all these efforts ; and, indeed, it is only after heavy rains, when the soil is soft and 

 loose, that they can successfully attempt this operation. 



"Whilst we were admiring these and other indications of the elephant's strength and sagacity, 

 we suddenly found oui-selves, on issuing from a woody defile, through one of the wild paths I have 

 mentioned, in the midst of a numerous herd of these animals. None of them, however, were very 

 dose ui Km us; but they were seen scattered, in little clumps, over the bottom and sides of a valley 

 two or three miles in length ; some browsing on the succulent specfcbroom (Postulacciria afro), which 

 clothe the skirts of the hills on either side ; others at work among the mimosa trees sprinkled over 

 the low and grassy savanna. As we proceeded cautiously onwards, and some of these parties came 

 more distinctly into view (consisting, apparently, in many instances, of separate families, the male, the 

 female, ami the young, of different sizes), the gigantic magnitude of the leaders became more and more 

 striking. The calm and stately tranquillity of their deportment, too, was remarkable. Though we 

 were a band of about a dozen horsemen, including our Hottentot attendants, they seemed either not 

 to observe, or altogether to disregard, our march down the valley," 



A little squadron, engaged in surveys of Africa, Arabia, and Madagascar, under Captain Owen, 

 on taking leave of the latter island, proceeded to the Bay of Delagoa. A party set out to ascend one 

 of the rivers, for the purpose of hunting the hippopotamus. Whilst they were in quest of the haunts 

 of these huge animals, a shrill, angry scream reached their ears, and, presently, Mr. Barrette, a midship- 

 man, rushed from the reeds, his face covered with blood, calling loudly for assistance to Lieutenant 

 Arlett, who had just been attacked by an elephant. The party proceeded to the spot, and found their 

 unfortunate comrade stretched motionless on his back, covered with blood and dirt, and his eyes 

 starting from their sockets, in all the expressive horror of a violent death. It was some time before 

 he showed any symptoms of life; they succeeded, however, in carrying him on board, where he 

 gradually recovered ; and, when he became sufficiently collected, he gave an account of what had befallen 

 him, which shows the extraordinary sagacity of the elephant, even in its wild state. He, at the first 

 approach of the animal, thought he had stumbled OH an enormous hippopotamus the object of their 

 pursuit but was soon undeceived. 



The animal, which appeared highly irritated at the intrusion, waved its trunk in the air, and, the 

 moment he spoke, reared up on its hind legs, turned short round, and, with a shrill, passionate cry, 

 rushed after him, bearing down the opposite reeds in his way, while Lieutenant Arlett vainly attempted 

 to effect his escape. For a short time he had hopes of eluding his pursuer, as the animal perceived one 

 of the seamen mounted on the top of a tree, about twenty feet high, and three in circumference, 

 menacing him by his voice and gestures while preparing to fire. The elephant turned short round, and, 

 shrieking with rage, made a kind of spring against the tree, as if to reach the object of his attack, 

 when his ponderous weight brought the whole to the ground, but, fortunately, without hurting the 

 man, who slipped among the roods. The ferocious animal still followed him, foaming with rage, to the 

 vising Kink of the river, the man crying loudly, "An elephant ! an elephant !" until, closely pressed 

 by his pursuer, both the man and the elephant came upon the top of the slope, where the party, who 

 had heard his cries, were prepared, and instantly fired a volley as the elephant appeared. This made 

 him return with increased fury to Mr. Arlett, who, in his eagerness to escape, stumbled and fell the 

 Imgc beast running over him, and severely bruising his ankle. 



As soon as lie had passed, Mr. Arlett arose, and limping with pain, attempted once more to retreat, 

 l>'it the animal returned to the attack ; his trunk was nourished in the air, and the next moment the 

 Unfortunate ohVer was struck senseless to the ground. On recovering himself, his situation appeared 

 hopeless, his hu,re antagonist standing over him, chafing and screaming with rage, pounding the earth 

 with ln> feet, and ploughing it with his tusks. When the party first saw them, Mr. Arlett was lying 



