BEING LOST IN THE FOREST. 49 
at all times, an abundance of food ; but every 
now and then there comes a drought, and the 
supply of water is cut off. Rivers and lakes 
dry up under the burning rays of the sun; 
and the animals, parched with thirst, wander 
a long way in search of something to drink. 
When they have found a spring, they all draw 
up on its banks, for they must drink or die. 
The elephants march, in a long line, from the 
depths of the forest ; the buffaloes come in a 
herd; depending on their numbers for safety. 
The lion and the tiger meet each other face to 
face; and the smaller animals, such as the 
jackal and the timid deer, venture to the 
water's edge, though it is as much as their lives 
are worth. The snake, too, is there, taking 
possession of the bank, and seizing as much 
prey as he can get. Like the rest of his tribe, 
he sleeps with his eyes open, and seems for ever 
on the watch. Fierce battles take place every 
hour, and the weak fall victims to the strong. 
But the snake is always able to defend himself; 
his scales are like an armour, and no animal 
cares to venture near him, and run the risk of 
being crushed to death in his coils. 
The next day, the soldier lived upon his cocoa 
