llem came to a halt.

The elephant, coolly and philosophically, awaited his approach,
apparently satisfied to let him come as near as he pleased.

The position in which the animal stood was unfavourable for Willem to
make his favourite shot; but, as it would not move, he was obliged to
fire at its head. The report of his gun was answered by a roar and an
impetuous charge.

Willem instantly made for the tree, and secured his retreat, with the
elephant but a few paces in his rear.

At the same time--and without evincing the slightest acknowledgment--the
huge beast received two further shots from Hendrik and Arend.

While the guns were being reloaded, the monster again retired to the
pool. There it was saluted by seven more balls without even once
attempting to approach its tormentors in their place of retreat.

It now wanted but two hours to sunset, and dark heavy clouds were
descried rolling up from the south-west. Thirteen shots had been
expended on the elephant, and to all appearance it was still uninjured.
There was a prospect of compulsory confinement before them. They might
have to remain in their aqua-arboreal retirement the whole night under
the pelting of a pitiless storm. Three more shots were fired, without
any apparent result. The rain soon came down,--not in drops, but
dishfuls.

Often as they had been exposed to heavy showers, none of them could
remember witnessing anything like that. All their care was devoted to
keeping the ammunition and the locks of their guns dry; and any attempts
at breaking the blockade to which they were subjected, was, for a time,
relinquished.

By the last light of day, Groot Willem made another reconnaissance and
found the elephant still patiently waiting and watching.

A night so dark that they could not distinguish each other by sight now
mantled the river, and the heavens above continued pouring forth their
unabated wrath. They might now have stolen away unknown to the
besieger; but they had no longer the desire to do so. Confident that
the animal could not keep its feet till morning, after the rough
handling it had received, they resolved upon staying till it fell, and
securing its fine tusks.

Two or three hours passed, and still the rain kept falling, though not
quite so heavily as at first.

"I don't like this sort of thing," said Hendrik. "Swart and Cong, in
the pits, could not have been much unhappier than we are. I should like
to know if the enem