the hot-spring, and consequently of the hut itself,
there were no large trees or other place of safety to which they might
retreat in case of being again attacked, they began to advance with
increased caution. From the direction in which they were approaching,
the hovel could not be seen until they should get within less than two
hundred yards of it. There was a belt of rather tall jungle to be
passed through, and then it would be in sight.

Through this jungle they commenced advancing; and there, to their no
slight uneasiness, they also observed fresh traces of the elephant.
They were now certain that he had passed through it before them, still
going direct for the hut.

What on earth can he want there? was the query that once more suggested
itself to the minds of all three. It certainly looked as if he had
proceeded there in search of _them_! As if, missing them from the scene
of the encounter, he believed they had returned home, and was following
up their acquaintance.

From what they had observed, they could not help attributing to the
great quadruped the possession of an intelligence something more than
natural; and this, though it may have been only an absurd fancy on their
part, had the effect of begetting within their minds a very painful
feeling of apprehension. What they saw on coming out on the other side
of the jungle not only strengthened this feeling of apprehension, but
increased it all at once to a positive terror.

The hut, which should now have been before their eyes, and at a distance
of not quite two hundred paces, _was no longer there_! The ruins of it
alone were visible. The large boulders with which its walls had been
built, the beams and thatch that had composed its roof, the grass
couches upon which they had slept, the rude improvised utensils and
other articles which had served them for furniture, were all strewed far
and wide over the ground; and not the semblance of a house, or even
hovel, remained to show that the spot had been occupied by a human
habitation!

Yes--in what had been their rude dwelling our adventurers beheld only a
ruder ruin--scarce one stone standing upon, another!

They beheld all this with feelings of fear--ay, something stronger--with
awe. The Pagan worshipper of Brahma or Vishnu was no longer alone in
his superstitious imaginings. His young Christian companions were
almost equally victims to a belief in the supernatural. They
comprehended well enough w