of about a foot in length. He and his
companions had been enjoying a cool bathe in the river, as I could
perceive from the light-coloured mud on their legs and sides, and their
way lay directly by the trap I was appointed to watch. But this peril
they took especial care to avoid. However, I observed the old elephant
point at it with his trunk, whereupon they all three tossed up their
heads with an indignant snort. So they paced leisurely along till they
reached my tree, at the foot of which, the old gentleman, apparently
exhausted with fatigue, threw himself down on his side so suddenly,
that he occasioned a partial earthquake. The others kept watch by him.

After lying perfectly still for about an hour, during which time, we
may safely conclude that he was refreshed by a comfortable nap, the
venerable patriarch raised his immense bulk till he was in a sort of
squatting posture, and began to converse with his companions; but I was
at such a great height above him, that I could only catch a word or two
here and there. But what are you laughing at, Bill Stacey? Do you think
everybody is as deaf and as stupid as yourself? You had better say at
once that you don't believe I could understand the elephant's language,
and then I'll leave off and turn in for the rest of the watch. Well,
then, behave yourself, my boy, and don't interrupt me any more, or I
won't say another word to-night.

Let me see, where was I? Oh, I told you that I was too high up in the
tree to make out what the elephants were saying, but no doubt their
conversation related to the pitfall, as the old fellow grumbled out the
words, "stupid idiots!" "shallow contrivance!" and "whoever saw fruit
growing on a beaten path?" Hoping to gain some useful information, I
now, with extreme caution, descended from the top of the tree till I
reached a branch about twenty feet from the ground, and concealed
myself among the thick leaves. For some time after I had been in this
situation there was a dead silence below, and I almost feared that the
elephants had heard or smelt me, and were meditating some mischief. But
there was a strong breeze blowing, and this prevented them from hearing
me. In a few minutes, the patriarch, after casting a very affectionate
glance on his companions, and giving utterance to a tremendous grunt,
which I suppose he meant for a _sigh_, though you might have heard it
at the distance of a mile, began a sort of history of his life, which I
will r