288 POOR CHARLEY. 



from the the Natal flat, and nearly surrounded with wood, 

 was frequently visited by wild beasts ; and on one occasion 

 the young ladies, while " doing their back hair" and 

 arranging their nightcaps, happened to cast their eyes above 

 the looking-glass, and there met the impertinent gaze of a 

 large bull-elephant, who was quietly rubbing himself against 

 an orange-tree on the lawn, and pitching the fruit down his 

 capacious throat as boys swallow cherries. My old dog 

 once nearly had his days, or rather nights, terminated by 

 the bold attack of a leopard. My dog for a change, and 

 I also suspect from the irresistible attractions of a fasci- 

 nating little spaniel named Charley, frequently staid two 

 or three days at a time on a visit at this house ; and while 

 taking his repose, about nine o'clock one night, in a back 

 room with his inamorata close beside him, a large leopard 

 came with a spring into the centre of the apartment. 

 A faint shriek from the little dog caused two of the young 

 ladies to enter this room, the whole family being at the 

 time in the front drawing-room. On their approach, the 

 leopard with one bound cleared the window, carrying the 

 dog Charley in his mouth. All entreaties and tears from 

 the young ladies failed in producing the least effect on the 

 feelings of this monster, who never came back; and 

 Charley's tail, and a bit of a foot were all that ever came 

 to light as to the fate of this ill- starred dog. 



The elephants, who buried themselves in the most 

 gloomy places during the heat of the sun, stalked about 

 boldly, and took their pleasure during the moonlight. 

 Night after night I rode round the skirts of the bush, 

 moving from one of their fashionable watering places to 



