Some Dangers of the Forest 157 



adapted to the taking of animal life, than to 

 procuring living specimens for the subsequent 

 service of man. 



Moreover, when many pits are dug it may be 

 impossible to visit each daily, and the entrapped 

 animals may suffer the torments of suspense and 

 of thirst for many hours ; and ultimately, when 

 the pits are no longer required and are care- 

 lessly left covered, they present a deadly danger 

 to man and beast, in that in case of accident 

 there is little chance that help will be forth- 

 coming, and death by starvation is almost 

 inevitable. 



It was into one of these abandoned pits that 

 our elephant fell when passing through the 

 forest. The fabric of the 

 solid earth giving way 

 under foot, the short rush 

 through space, the shock of 

 sudden arrest amid showers 

 of falling earth and stones 

 were sensations which, though instantaneous, 

 yet produced a feeling of indescribable horror. 

 It was experienced both by the elephant and his 



