n, that I may not
tread upon a puff adder, or avoid the dart of the cobra capella, I can
feel little pleasure in looking at the rich hues of those flowers which
conceal them. As I said before, give me the violet and the rose of
England, which I can pick and smell in security."

"I agree with you, Major," said Alexander; "but," continued he,
laughing, "we must make allowance for Swinton, as a naturalist. A puff
adder has a charm for him, because it adds one more to the numerous
specimens to be obtained; and he looks upon these flowers as a
botanist, rejoicing as he adds to his herbal, or gathers seeds and bulbs
to load his wagon with. You might as well find fault with a husbandman
for rejoicing in a rich harvest."

"Or with himself, for being so delighted at the number and the variety
of the animals which fall to his rifle," replied Swinton, smiling.
"There I have you, Major."

"I grant it," replied the Major; "but what is that in the river--the
back of a hippopotamus?"

"No, it is the back of an elephant, I should rather think; but the reeds
are so high, that it is difficult to ascertain. There may be a herd
bathing in the river, nothing more likely."

"Let us stop the caravan; the creaking of these wheels would drive away
any thing," replied the Major; "we will then ride forward and see what
it is. It is not more than half a mile from us."

"Be it so," replied Swinton. "Omrah, get the rifles, and tell Bremen to
come here. Now, Major, is it to be a regular hunt, or only a passing
shot at them; for I now perceive through my glass that they are
elephants?"

"Well, I think a passing shot will be best; for if we are to hunt, we
must send a party on the opposite side of the river, and that will be a
tedious affair."

"I think myself it will be better to proceed," said Swinton; "so now
then, to scatter the enemy."

They soon arrived at that part of the river where they had at a distance
discovered the elephants bathing; but as they approached, the high reeds
prevented them from seeing the animals, although they could hear them
plainly. At last, as they proceeded a little further up the river, they
discovered a female with its young one by its side; the mother playing
with its offspring, pouring water over it with its trunk, and now and
then pressing it into the water, so as to compel it to swim. They
watched the motions of the animals for some time, and the Major first
broke silence by saying, "I really have not t