84 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER ch. 
civilization, the world presented itself in the rosiest 
of hues ; her dream of love was marred by no 
obtrusive thoughts on the material side of 
marriage ; romance was all in all, as it always is to 
those whose hearts are young. From my know¬ 
ledge of the native mind, I 
can only conjecture this— 
perhaps my own tempera¬ 
ment is partially responsible 
for the surmise. However 
that may be, on the journey 
home, Asalie sauntered 
along, some distance behind 
her parents, carrying on her 
head a little native basket, 
called a majamanda, con¬ 
taining some of the good 
things destined for the 
marriage festivities. All at. 
once, her parents heard a 
terrified scream, and looking 
round were horrified to see 
an elephant rush out of the bush, catch hold 
of the girl, fling her down and trample her out of 
recognition. The whole tragedy was enacted in a 
few moments—so swiftly at times does Atropos 
sever the bright thread of life! Unfortunately, I 
was unable to avenge poor Asalie’s death, for I was 
