Page 67 - Adventures in Africa

sidered how I could help him, but saw it would be
madness to descend the tree to fire, and therefore

remained where I was, praying that, should my uncle
fire, his shot might be successful.
Presently, up went the elephant’s trunk; and,

trumpeting' loudly, he went at a fast trot directly
towards my uncle, who, stopping for a moment,
levelled his rifle and fired ; but, although the shot
took effect, it did not stop the elephant's progress.

He had not a moment to reload— flight was his
only resource. Happily not far off was a tree, but

whether its branches grew low down enough to enable
him to climb up it, I could not see, and I trembled
for his safety. I shouted and shrieked, hoping to
divert the attention of the elephant* It appeared to

me that its trunk was not a dozen yards from my
uncle. Should it once encircle him, his fate would be
sealed, I never felt more anxious in my life. I

might still stop its course I hoped, and, raising my
rifle, I iired at its head, but my bullet seemed to make
not the slightest impression. I shrieked with alarm.

The next moment [ saw my uncle seize the bough of
a tree which had appeared to me above his head,
when, exerting all his strength, he drew himself up.

The elephant, elevating its trunk, actually touched his
foot, but he drew it beyond its reach, and quickly
clambered up into a place of safety. The elephant
stood for a moment, its trunk raised as if expecting

him to fall, and then made a furious dash at the tree
in a vain endeavour to batter it down. The tree

trembled from the shock but stood firm.
The elephant then, taking my uncle's cap which had