dash, after the rhinoceros, and
coming up pretty close to him, I again fired, though with little
effect, the ball striking some thick portion of his skin and doing no
harm.

"Feeling that I did not care to run the chance of the huge brute again
charging me, and believing that my rifle-ball was not powerful enough
to kill him, I determined to give up the pursuit, and accordingly let
him run off while I returned to the camp."

[Illustration]

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Let pupils mark _inflections_ in the first
sentence of the lesson.

* * * * *

Language Lesson.--Let pupils express in other words the meaning of
what is given below in dark type.

"I expected that he would _come to bay_."

* * * * *

LESSON L.

per'il, _great danger that is near one_.

pru'dent, _careful in regard to what may happen_.

con'fi dence, _courage; freedom from doubt_.

oc ca'sion, _a chance event; an incident_.

tor'rents, _violent streams, as of water_.

ford, _a place to cross a river_.

per suad'ed, _influenced by advice_.

op'po site, _on the other side; in front of_.

fran'tic, _without power to act properly_.

her'o ism, _great courage, which makes one willing to face
danger of any kind_.

res'o lute, _decided; firm_.

af fec'tion ate, _kind and loving_.

* * * * *

PRESENCE OF MIND.

Many years ago, there lived on the banks of the Naugatuck River, in
Connecticut, a family by the name of Bishop.

The father was not wealthy, but a good man, and respected by all who
knew him. He had fought in the battles of his country during the
Revolutionary War, and was familiar with scenes of danger and peril.

He had learned that it is always more prudent to preserve an air of
confidence in danger, than to show signs of fear, and especially so,
since his conduct might have a great influence upon the minds of those
about him.

On one occasion he sent his son James, a boy twelve years old, across
the river to the house of a relative, on an errand. As there was no
bridge or ferry, all who crossed the river were obliged to ford it.

James was familiar with every part of the fording-place, and when the
water was low, which was the case at this time, there was no danger in
crossing.

Mounted on one of his father's best horses, James set out. He crossed
the