attack or attempting to repel it; but simply
because they knew not in what direction to retreat.

So dismayed were they at the sight of the advancing enemy, that it was
some seconds before any of the three could suggest a plan that offered a
prospect of escape. Rather mechanically than otherwise did Karl and
Caspar bring their pieces to the level, with the intention of firing in
the face of the foe: for they had but little hope that the lead from
their guns, both of light calibre, would stop his impetuous charge.
Both fired at the same instant; and then Caspar delivered his second
shot; but, just as they had expected, the elephant continued to charge
onward.

Fortunately for them, the shikaree had not condescended to draw the
string of his bow. Experience had taught him that under such
circumstances an arrow was an useless weapon. He might as well have
attempted to kick the elephant, or stick a pin into its trunk; either of
which proceedings would have damaged the animal nearly as much, and
perhaps irritated it a little less, than would one of Ossaroo's arrows.
Knowing this, the shikaree, instead of bothering himself with his bow,
or wasting time by any thoughts of resistance, had occupied the few
seconds left for consideration in a rapid reconnoissance of the
neighbourhood--to see if it offered any chance of escape.

To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising. The cliffs
offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the
rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but
although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not
long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their
antagonist appeared to be. Besides, the elephant was between them and
it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon
its proboscis!

Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of
safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the
only one near the spot. It was a tree that had already been
instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the
little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which
Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.

This tree was a very large one; and standing alone, its branches, free
to extend their growth, had spread far out in every direction, almost
stretching across the straits.

Ossaroo wasted not the pr