rumpet-shaped object, of a bluish-grey
colour, protruding between two yellowish crescents, like a pair of huge
ivory horns. Behind those appeared a pair of large ears, like flaps of
sole leather; and in the rear of these last appendages came the round,
massive form of an enormous elephant!

Crashing through the underwood, the monstrous creature soon cleared his
body from the timber, and rushed straight across the open ground--
winding his terrible trumpet as he went. He was following Fritz as
straight as he could go, and evidently enraged at the dog.

The latter, on escaping from the tangle of the thicket, made direct for
the spot occupied by his masters--thus directing the elephant upon them.

It was no longer a question of protecting Fritz from his formidable
pursuer; for the elephant, on seeing three adversaries more worthy of
his tusks, seemed to forget all about the puny four-footed creature who
had provoked him; and at once directed his attack upon the upright
bipeds--as if resolved to punish them for the misbehaviour of their
subordinate.

The three, standing close together, saw at a glance that Fritz was no
longer the object of the elephant's animosity: for the massive monster
was now charging directly down upon them.

There was no time for concerted counsel--neither to take nor to give it.
Each had to act upon his own instinct; and following this each acted.
Karl sent the bullet from his rifle right between the tusks of the
advancing foe; while Caspar fired both barrels of his piece "bang" into
the forehead of the monster. Ossaroo's arrow was seen sticking through
the elephant's trunk; and the moment after Ossaroo's heels were
presented to the enemy.

Karl and Caspar also ran: for it would have been sheer madness to have
remained a moment longer in that perilous proximity. Indeed, it is but
justice to the shikaree to say, that Karl and Caspar ran first: for they
had been the first to deliver their fire; and as soon as they had done
so, each scampered as he best could. They ran together; and fortunately
for both a large tree was near, with low horizontal limbs, which
favoured a rapid ascent towards its top.

There was only a second of time between the commencement of their flight
and that of Ossaroo; but short as it was, it decided the preference of
the pursuer, and Ossaroo became the sole object of pursuit.

The shikaree would fain have made for the tree, to which the others were
retreating; but t