rage for the loss of my companion, determined
either to revenge his death or perish in the attempt. Seeing, therefore,
that it was in vain to attack the animal in the usual manner, I chose
the sharpest arrow, and fitted it to the bowstring; then, with a cool
unterrified aim, observing him moving nimbly into the river, I
discharged it full at his broad and glaring eye-ball with such success,
that the barbed point penetrated even to his brain, and the monster
fell expiring to the ground.

[Illustration: "I discharged it full at his broad and glaring eye-ball
with such success, that the barbed point penetrated even to his brain."
_P. 523._]

"This action, magnified beyond its deserts, gained me universal applause
throughout the hamlet; I was from that time looked upon as one of the
most valiant and fortunate of our youth. The immense body of the monster
which I had slain was cut to pieces, and borne in triumph to the
village. All the young women received me with songs of joy and
congratulations; the young men adopted me as their leader in every
hazardous expedition; and the elders applauded me with such expressions
of esteem as filled my ignorant heart with vanity and exultation.

"But what was more agreeable to me than all the rest, my father received
me with transport, and, pressing me to his bosom with tears of joy, told
me that now he could die with pleasure, since I had exceeded his most
sanguine expectations. 'I,' said he, 'have not lived inactive or
inglorious; I have transfixed the tiger with my shafts; I have, though
alone, attacked the lion in his rage, the terror of the woods, the
fiercest of animals; even the elephant has been compelled to turn his
back and fly before my javelin; but never, in the pride of my youth and
strength, did I achieve such an exploit as this.' He then went into his
cabin and brought forth the bow and fatal arrows which he was accustomed
to use in the chase. 'Take them, take them,' said he, 'my son, and
rescue my weaker arm from a burthen which it is no longer destined to
sustain. Age is now creeping on; my blood begins to cool, my sinews
slacken, and I am no longer equal to the task of supporting the glories
of our race. That care shall now be thine; and with a firmer hand shalt
thou henceforth use these weapons against the beasts of the forest and
the enemies of our country.'"

Such was the account which the negro gave to Tommy, in different
conversations, of his birth and educatio