ds to the spot, where it debouched upon the level of the
beach; and the creature that had caused them such a surprise--and was
still continuing to occupy their thoughts--must have reached this level
surface: though not to suspend its exertions. Every now and then could
be heard the same repetition of dull noises,--as if some animal was
kicking itself to death,--varied by trumpet-like snorts and agonizing
screams, which could be likened to the cry of no animal upon earth.

But that the castaways knew they were on the coast of Africa,--that
continent renowned for strange existences,--they might have been even
more disposed to a supernatural belief in what was near them; but as the
minutes passed, and their senses began to return to them, they became
more inclined to think that what they had seen, heard, and _felt_, might
be only some animal--a heavy quadruped--that had trampled over them in
their sleep.

The chief difficulty in reconciling this belief with the actual
occurrence was the odd behavior of the animal. Why had it gone up the
gorge, apparently _parenti passu_, to come tumbling down again in such a
confused fashion? Why was it still kicking and stumbling about at the
bottom of the ravine,--for such did the sounds proclaim it to be doing?

No answer could be given to either of these questions; and none was
given, until day dawned over the sand-hills. This was soon after; and
along with the morning light had come the cessation of the simoom.

Then saw the castaways that creature that had so abruptly awakened them
from their slumbers,--and, by so doing, perhaps, saved their lives. They
saw it recumbent at the bottom of the gorge, where they had so uneasily
passed the night.

It proved to be--what from the slight glimpse they had got of it, they
were inclined to believe--an animal, and a quadruped; and if it had
presented an uncouth appearance, as it stepped over them in the
darkness, not less so did it appear as they now beheld it, under the
light of day.

It was an animal of very large size,--in height far exceeding a
horse,--but of such a grotesque shape as to be easily recognizable by
any one who had ever glanced into a picture-book of quadrupeds. The long
craning neck, with an almost earless head and gibbous profile; the great
straggling limbs, callous at the knees, and ending in broad, wide
splitting hooves; the slender hind-quarters, and tiny, tufted
tail,--both ludicrously disproportioned,--the tumid, m