sks we dug up the earth around the pit, and then shovelled it in
with our feet, while our friend below trampled it down hard as fast as
it came in. This was very laborious, tedious work for both parties, but
we were amply rewarded for our toil; for at length the pit was so far
filled up, that, with the assistance of our trunks, the poor captive
managed to scramble out of her dungeon. She was dreadfully exhausted
with fatigue and hunger, for she told us that she had been in captivity
for three days, and she had no doubt that the hunters intended to
starve her to death, for they had made no attempts either to release
her, or to put an end to her sufferings. I need not tell you that our
unfortunate friend received the hearty congratulations of our
community, and that she was supplied with abundance of the most
nourishing food we could collect, having first been conducted by two of
our females to the river to wash and refresh herself after her
sufferings.

So, when she was a little recovered, she informed us that she had
strayed away from her herd nearly a moon before, and that she was in
search of her companions when she met with her grievous disaster. Then
she begged permission to join our community, and the question being put
to the vote, was decided unanimously in her favour.

Who was this adopted stranger? My children, she was _your mother_! the
faithful friend, who for seventy years has rewarded me, by her
affectionate companionship, for my exertions in rescuing her from the
cruel grasp of her enemies.

* * * * *

At this part of his story, said Jolly, the old elephant became so prosy
and tiresome, talking of his family affairs, and praising his great fat
black wife, that I have almost forgotten the rest of his adventures.
But I remember that he was chosen leader of the herd soon after his
marriage, partly on account of his cleverness in getting the old lady
out of the pit, but chiefly because, as he has already told us, his
companions believed that he had formerly been a tame elephant. He also
reminded his sons, that, though so old and infirm, he had lately broken
his tusk by fighting with and killing a very fierce rhinoceros.

So when the old fellow had finished his history, he and his sons moved
off slowly towards the thickest part of the forest, and as soon as they
were out of sight I slid down from the tree and ran home to our
encampment.

We set off next day in pur