bad a
condition. I looked up; I could see where he was by the movement of the
top of the grass. He stopped and kept beating the grass about on every
side with his trunk, evidently searching for me, that he might squeeze
the breath out of my body with his huge knees. I lay as still as death,
not daring to breathe, for I knew that my only hope of safety lay in his
not discovering me till some one came up to my rescue. What had become
of Dango I could not tell. Nearer and nearer he drew. It is impossible
to describe my sensations. When I was standing upright with my weapon
in my hand, and hoped to bring him down by a shot, they had been very
terrible--now they were ten times worse. I could hear the grass
rustling as he drew close to where I lay. I should have liked to have
shut my eyes and resigned myself to my fate, but I could not. Closer
and closer he drew. His long black trunk waved several times about the
grass over the very spot where I was. He bent it to the right and left,
as a heavy fall of rain with a strong wind does a field of corn.
Tighter I held my breath, and mercifully, in consequence of my having
reserved my fire till the muzzle of my rifle almost touched him, had so
nearly blinded him, and so dulled his power of scent, that he was less
able to discover me. Had his trunk but grazed me as he struck it about
above my head, I should instantly have been discovered, and my fate
would have been sealed. Round and round me he walked, roaring away in
his fury and disappointment at not finding me. The circle grew larger,
and the noise of the rustling of the grass grew fainter. Once more I
began to breathe, and to consider what was the matter with my leg.
Still I dared not move. Perhaps the rogue was only standing still
watching for me. No; the rustling continued, but every moment was
growing fainter. It ceased altogether. Then I heard some shouting and
loud trumpeting, followed quickly by three shots in succession. I
earnestly hoped that Nowell had not been caught by the rogue. I felt
thankful that I had thus far been saved, but still I was not certain
that I was safe. At length I ventured to move my limbs to ascertain if
my thigh was broken. I first found, to my great joy, that I was able to
crawl, and then that I could stand upright. My cap was gone, and so was
my rifle, I could not tell where. I felt the pain too great to proceed,
and so I shouted at the top of my voice for help. An answ