e
repast preparing by the cooks who were in attendance. The doctor, who
was absorbed in his views, heeded it not, and had just finished the
charging and priming of the rock when the cavalcade returned from their
excursion.

"Well, doctor, how do you get on?" inquired Courtenay.

"Oh, I'm all ready, and you had better remove to a little distance, as
I'm about to fire my trains."

"Fire your trains!--Why, what have you been about?"

"I am going to blast the rock."

"The devil you are--then I'm off;" cried Courtenay, who, with Seymour,
retreated from the well-known effects of gunpowder.

The natives who accompanied them also retired, although not aware of the
nature of the operation. The interpreter understood "gentlemen make
fireworks," and reported accordingly.

The doctor lighted his matches and withdrew, followed by Prose, who
forgot his limp upon this occasion. The mines exploded, splitting large
fragments from the rock, and shaking it from its base.

"Capital!" exclaimed the doctor who, as soon as the smoke had cleared
away, ran up, and was in ecstasies at the variety and brilliancy of the
specimens which were now exposed to his eager view.

But in his enthusiasm the doctor quite overlooked the mischief which he
had occasioned. One large fragment had struck the tent to the ground;
others had scattered the cooking utensils, with their contents, and
wounded the unfortunate cooks; while the affrighted elephant had
completed the demolition by trotting over the whole, his trunk raised
high in the air, uttering shrill cries, and regardless of the
admonitions of his conductor. All was confusion and dismay.

The natives when they witnessed the damage were astonished. A long
consultation took place between them, as to what the doctor meant; at
last it was decided by the grave deputy that it was intended as a
compliment to them--for all fireworks were compliments in that country.
They therefore salaamed with great good humour: but the English knew
better, and commenced a violent attack on Macallan, who was still
absorbed in collecting specimens, and quite unconscious of the mischief
which he had created.

"You've not only destroyed our dinner," continued Courtenay, "but you've
killed three cooks, and wounded seven more."

"Is it possible!" cried Macallan, with dismay, throwing away his
specimens with as much haste as he had seized upon them, and running in
the direction of the men reported to be hurt. For