carry away with them, and even mine. I have seen the
younglings of mankind dangle the teeth of my sister round their necks,
and my hide appears to be so precious that the king of the village wears
it over his dirty black loins. Thy tribe, O Elephant, have not much
cause of complaint against me, and thou, Rhinoceros, it would tax thy
memory to accuse me of aught against thy family. Brother Leopard will
hold me and mine guiltless of harm to him; so also must my cousin Hyena.
Friend Buffalo and our family have sometimes a sharp quarrel, but there
is no malice in it, I swear. Whereas the son of man, friends, is the
common enemy of us all--it is either our flesh, or our fur, or our hide,
or our teeth that he is wanting, and his whole thought is bent upon
destruction pure and simple. If ye would follow me, I would glory in
leading ye even now against the community, and I give ye my word that
few would escape my paw and claw. However, as our object is to destroy
all, that none may escape, I agree with my friend Rhinoceros that
night-time at its blackest is safest. Wherefore believe me that I am so
sharp set for revenge, and I feel so hollow, that nothing but the half
of all of them will satisfy my thirst for their blood. I have ended my
say."

"Now, friend Leopard, thou hadst better follow thy cousin, and we will
feel obliged to thee for the benefit of thy advice," said the Elephant.

Leopard gave his tail a quick twirl, and licked his chops and spoke:

"All that ye, my friends and cousin, have said, I heartily agree and
bear witness to. The spite of the son of man towards us is limitless.
It is remarkable, too, for its cold-bloodedness and lack of passion. We
have our own quarrels in the woods--as ye all know--and they are sharp
and quick while they last, but there is no premeditation or malignity in
what we do to one another; but Man, to whom we would rather give a wide
berth, if possible, pursues each of us as if his existence depended upon
the mere slaying, though I observe that he has abundance of fruit, which
ought to satisfy any reasonable being of the ape tribe. Wherefore, as I
have many sharp reasons for retaliation on him for his countless
offences against me and my kin, I gladly attended this council, and I
will go as far as any of ye, and further if I can, to return some of
this spite on him and his tribe. I propose that night at its darkest is
best for our plan. While the human folk are indulging in