such an extent, that the forest appeared to bow
down before them; while large masses of loose rock leaped and bounded
and thundered down into the valley, raising clouds of dust in their
passage.

"This is tremendously grand," whispered Alexander to the Major.

"It is most awfully so; I would not have missed the sight for anything;
but here they come--look at that tall tree borne down by the weight of
the whole mass."

"See, the great bull leader," said Swinton; "let us all fire upon him--
what a monster!"

"Look-out," said the Major, whose rifle was discharged as he spoke, and
was quickly followed by those of Alexander and Swinton.

"He's down; be quick and load again. Omrah, give me the other rifle."

"Take care! take care!" was now cried on all sides, for the fall of the
leading elephant and the volleys of musketry from the Hottentots had so
frightened the herd, that they had begun to separate and break off two
or three together, or singly, in every direction. The shrieks and
trumpetings, and the crashing of the boughs so near to them, were now
deafening; and the danger was equally great. The Major had but just
levelled his other rifle when the dense foliage close to him opened as
if by magic, and the head of a large female presented itself within four
yards of him.

Fortunately, the Major was a man of great nerve, and his rifle brought
her down at his feet, when so near to him that he was compelled to leap
away out of the reach of the trunk, for she was not yet dead. Another
smaller elephant followed so close, that it tumbled over the carcass of
the first, and was shot by Alexander as it was recovering its legs.

"Back, sirs, or you will be killed," cried Bremen, running to them;
"this way--the whole herd are coming right upon you." They ran for
their lives, following the Hottentot, who brought them to a high rock
which the elephants could not climb, and where they were safe.

They had hardly gained it when the mass came forward in a cloud of dust,
and with a noise almost inconceivable, scrambling and rolling to and fro
as they pressed on in a close-wedged body. Many were wounded and
tottering, and as they were left behind, the Caffres, naked, with their
assaguays in their hands, leaping forward and hiding, as required,
running with the greatest activity close up to the rear of the animals,
either pierced them with their assaguays, or ham-strung them with their
sharp-cutting weapons, crying out in th