earer, we discovered that the trees grew at considerable
distances from each other. They were tall and extremely graceful, each
branch having the appearance of a beautiful fan; and as the wind waved
them to and fro, the effect was peculiarly pleasing. They are known as
"fan-palms"--the most beautiful, perhaps, of their tribe. We found
fruit growing on them about the size of an apple, of a deep brown
colour. Timbo begged us to stop, and he would try and get some. He
accordingly climbed up one of the trees, helping himself with a band
round his waist, and soon came down with a number of the fruit. They
contained kernels as hard as a stone, which put us in mind of vegetable
ivory. We found the fruit very palatable and refreshing. Most of the
trees, however, were so tall, that it was evident the fruit could not be
obtained without difficulty. I should have said we took a couple of
dogs with us which had attached themselves to Stanley. They might prove
useful at night in giving us warning of the approach of any wild beast;
and we were therefore glad of their company. The country was tolerably
open, but in some parts we had to pass through dense forests. In most
of these, however, we could generally find an elephant path from one
side to the other, always broad enough to allow two horsemen to ride
abreast. Frequently Stanley rode ahead; while I rode alongside Timbo,
who was more communicative than my cousin. He, I have already said, was
a man rather of action than words; and would, for an hour together, ride
without speaking, unless something attracted his attention. He had gone
some way ahead, with the two dogs at his side; we following at a little
distance, though, of course, always keeping him in sight. Timbo was
recounting, with considerable animation, some of the adventures of his
youth, when suddenly his narrative was interrupted by a loud trumpeting
sound, and we saw Stanley wheel round and gallop towards us. At the
same moment, a huge elephant, the largest monster I ever saw, with trunk
projected, vast ears spread-out, and tail erect, burst from the thicket,
and in hot haste pursued my cousin.

"Fly! fly!" shouted Stanley; "gallop off for your lives!" We required
no second order to obey him. Stanley was looking round at the monster;
but, situated as he was in a pathway between thick trees, among which he
could not force a passage, he was unable to fire. Flight was our only
resource. We were already