CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

EXCITEMENT FOR ALL.

The two elephants were moving along what seemed to be a narrow path
leading to the maize-field, or the kraal beyond it. They were in no
great haste, but going as though conscious that a favourite article of
food was near, and that they were pretty sure of obtaining it.

"When once they get engaged upon the corn," said Hendrik, "they are
ours. They won't notice us, and we shall have an opportunity for
getting a good shot."

Suddenly one of the elephants--the foremost one--was seen to sink into
the earth! The other stopped for a moment, as though endeavouring to
comprehend the cause of his companion's disappearance. It then turned
round and commenced carefully treading the back track.

"A pit," exclaimed Hendrik. "One of the elephants has gone down into a
pit."

"On, on! let us kill the other," shouted Groot Willem, as he urged his
gigantic horse into a gallop. Hendrik and Arend galloped after.

The retreating elephant was apparently in no haste to get out of their
way, but moved leisurely along.

When the three youths were within a hundred yards of it, uttering a
trumpet-like sound, it turned and charged toward them. Expecting
something of the kind, they were not unprepared. Groot Willem instantly
brought the roer to his shoulder and fired.

The loud report of the gun was accompanied by the sharp cracks of the
two rifles carried by his companions. Hendrik and Arend wheeled their
horses to the right; Willem turned to the left, and the huge monster
rushed between them.

For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first. Had the
three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an
instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and
gaining a start upon their pursuer.

"The pit! the pit!" shouted Hendrik. "Ride for the pit!"

His command was instantly obeyed.

The elephant turned, and, observing the direction of their retreat,
continued to pursue them; but in a slow, leisurely way, as though not
wholly decided whether to follow them or not. At that instant was heard
a loud prolonged bellowing,--the voice of an elephant in the agony of
despair. It proceeded from the pit.

The pursuer instantly came to a stand. The cry of its companion in
distress awoke a feeling more human than that of revenge. It was
fear,--a fear that seemed t