r. He
was even more so. It was not that he liked Ossaroo better, or would
have more bitterly lamented his fate, had the latter perished by the
proboscis of the elephant. No, that was not the reason; but simply that
Karl more clearly comprehended the danger in which the shikaree was
placed.

After watching the efforts of the elephant for a short time, Caspar had
become convinced that the animal could not reach Ossaroo--so long as the
latter preserved his balance upon the summit of the rock. Karl was
equally satisfied of this; and both by their shouts kept encouraging the
shikaree to stand firm. But Karl soon noted another circumstance, which
was as yet unperceived by Caspar, and it was this that was inspiring him
with keener apprehension than that felt by his brother. He had noticed
that, each time as the elephant erected himself against the obelisk, the
rock seemed slightly to shake. Ossaroo was himself well aware of the
circumstance--and more troubled at it than any of them--for it rendered
it more difficult for him to preserve his equilibrium. Caspar at length
also observed the trembling of the rock, but it gave him no particular
uneasiness: as, after what had passed, he felt confident that Ossaroo
would be able to keep his place. Nor was it the fear of his falling in
that way that was distressing the young botanist; but rather a deduction
which he drew from the circumstance, not apparent to the less
philosophic mind of his brother.

The shaking of the rock had suggested to Karl a dangerous contingency.
What was it? The speech addressed by him at that moment to Caspar will
explain.

"Oh, brother!" he exclaimed, on perceiving the danger, "if the rock
should fall--"

"No danger of that," said Caspar, interrupting him; "it stands firm
enough. True, I see it shake a little, but only a very little; and that
only when the brute springs up against it. No danger, I should think!"

"But I fear there is clanger," rejoined Karl, in a tone of undiminished
anxiety. "Not," added he, "so long as the elephant acts as he is doing;
but he may not continue thus. These creatures are wonderfully
sagacious; and if he only perceives that the pillar moves under his
weight, a new idea may get into his brain, and then it will be all up
with Ossaroo."

"Ha! I begin to comprehend you," said Caspar, beginning to share the
alarm of his brother. "There is danger in that. What is to be done?
If we only had our guns up here,