advantage. His horse can overtake the
elephant; and it is a peculiarity of this animal, that the moment he
finds that his enemy, whatever it be, can do that thing, he disdains to
run any farther, but at once stands to bay; and the hunter may then
deliver as many shots as he pleases.

Herein lies the great advantage of the hunter on horseback. Another
advantage is the security the horse affords, enabling his rider to avoid
the charges of the angry elephant.

No wonder Von Bloom sighed for a horse. No wonder he felt grieved at the
want of this noble companion, that would have aided him so much in the
chase.

He grieved all the more, now that he had become acquainted with the
district, and had found it so full of elephants. Troops of an hundred
had been seen; and these far from being shy, or disposed to make off
after a shot or two. Perhaps they had never heard the report of a gun
before that of his own long roer pealed in their huge ears.

With a horse the field-cornet believed he could have killed many, and
obtained much valuable ivory. Without one, his chances of carrying out
his design were poor indeed. His hopes were likely to end in
disappointment.

He felt this keenly. The bright prospects he had so ardently indulged
in, became clouded over; and fears for the future once more harassed
him. He would only waste his time in this wilderness. His children would
live without books, without education, without society. Were he to be
suddenly called away, what would become of them? His pretty Gertrude
would be no better off than a little savage--his sons would become not
in sport, as he was wont to call them, but in reality a trio of
"Bush-boys."

Once more these thoughts filled the heart of the father with pain. Oh!
what would he not have given at that moment for a pair of horses, of any
sort whatever?

The field-cornet, while making these reflections, was seated in the
great nwana-tree, upon the platform, that had been built on the side
towards the lake, and from which a full view could be obtained of the
water. From this point a fine view could also be obtained of the country
which lay to the eastward of the lake. At some distance off it was
wooded, but near the vley a grassy plain lay spread before the eye like
a green meadow.

The eyes of the hunter were turned outward on this plain, and just then
his glance fell upon a troop of animals crossing the open ground, and
advancing towards the vley.

They were la