. The head men of the Caffres gave their orders, and the
bands of natives moved silently away in every direction, checking any
noise from the dogs, which they had brought with them in numerous packs.
Our travelers were to leeward of the herd on the hill where they stood,
and as it was the intention of the natives to drive the animals toward
them, the Caffre warriors as well as the Hottentots all took up
positions on the hill ready to attack the animals as they were driven
that way.

About an hour passed away, when the signal was given by some of the
native Caffres, who had gained the side of the valley to westward of the
elephants. Perched up at various high spots, they shouted with
stentorian lungs, and their shouts were answered by the rest of the
Caffres on every side of the valley, so that the elephants found
themselves encompassed on all sides, except on that where the hill rose
from the valley. As the Caffres closed in, their shouts reverberating
from the rocks, and mixed up with the savage howlings of the dogs,
became tremendous; and the elephants, alarmed, started first to one side
of the valley, then to the other, hastily retreating from the clamor
immediately raised as they approached, shaking their long ears and
trumpeting loudly, as with uplifted trunks they trotted to and fro.

At last, finding no other avenue of escape, the herd commenced the
ascent of the hill, cracking the branches and boughs, and rolling the
loose stones down into the valleys, as they made their ascent, and now
adding their own horrid shrieks to the din which had been previously
created. On they came, bearing every thing down before them, carrying
havoc in their rage to such an extent, that the forest appeared to bow
down before them; while large masses of loose rock leaped and bounded
and thundered down into the valley, raising clouds of dust in their
passage.

"This is tremendously grand," whispered Alexander to the Major.

"It is most awfully so; I would not have missed the sight for any
thing; but here they come--look at that tall tree borne down by the
weight of the whole mass."

"See the great bull leader," said Swinton; "let us all fire upon
him--what a monster!"

"Look out," said the Major, whose rifle was discharged as he spoke, and
was quickly followed by those of Alexander and Swinton.

"He's down; be quick and load again. Omrah, give me the other rifle."

"Take care! take care!" was how cried on all sides, for the f