n the
tough skin of the elephant that it could not withdraw them. At all
events, it made no attempt to get free. Perhaps it held on under the
idea that it would be able to bring the elephant to the ground and feast
off its body. If so, it was greatly mistaken. The elephant seemed in
no way alarmed, but went on dragging the creature along with it. When
it reached the bank, it uttered a peculiar cry and stood still. On this
the largest elephant came hurrying up, and winding his trunk round the
body of the crocodile, which he pressed against his tusks--he dragged it
by main force from the leg of his companion, then lifting it in the air,
walked with stately pace--the creature vainly struggling to free
itself--till he reached a stiff forked, thorny tree of moderate height,
and without more ado, raising the crocodile as high as he could, he
brought its body down with a tremendous crash on the pointed branches,
where he left it impaled, struggling, but ineffectually, to free itself.
Its escape was as hopeless as a poor cockchafer pinned by a cruel boy
to a board.

The elephants regarded its struggles with evident satisfaction. They
were little aware of the danger they themselves were in from the bullets
of the hunters. The leader at length gave vent to a triumphant
trumpeting, and moved on, followed by his companions, at a leisurely
pace; but instead of coming near the bush where the hunters lay
concealed, they turned in the opposite direction. To fire would have
been utterly useless. The tough hide of an elephant will turn a bullet,
unless discharged at a short distance, and even then it can only
penetrate at certain parts with any chance of killing. The hunters
waited still hoping that one of the hindermost elephants might turn
aside and come nearer to them. But the last went by, following the
footsteps of the leader, and all chance of getting a shot was over,
unless they were to start up, and by going ahead of the herd, have time
to conceal themselves in another ambush until the animals came past
them.

Denis wanted to do this, but Percy reminded him that they were already
late, and that after all they might miss the elephants.

"I suppose you are right," answered Denis, reluctantly; "but I vote,
before we start, that we take another slice of venison. I have scarcely
had enough, and it may be a long time before we get any food in these
wild regions. It is always better to eat when we can, in case we should