lO

talions of the handiwork of God—to whom be

ascribed all power and glory—we looked from the

boat and lo ! near at hand we espied a herd ot

elephants, the tusks of which great beasts would

ever excite the envy of the beholder. We moored

the boat with intent to shoot them, and set foot

upon the land ; but, as it chanced, twixt us and the

herd there lay a large and deep morass that had

not been visible to the eye. After much tribula-

tion and searching of heart we succeeded in crossing

the intervening marsh, but by this time the

sun was westering to its setting and the time for

hunting already passed. There-upon we began.to

collect some boughs of trees in order to make some

rude kind of shelter from the cold, inasmuch as we

had but little in the way of clothes, with which we

might prevent the damp mists of evening. Then

with one called Mohammed, I went in search of

game, carrying with me the gun that Petherick had

given me : our three companions, of whom one was

called Abdalla Magnun, were left behind in their

places. Now it was our custom when engaged in

the chase, that should either of the hunters sight an

animal, he would recline slowly backwards until

he had assumed a sitting posture. We had proceeded

on our way but a short distance, when I beheld

a crocodile of gigantic bulk and fearsome aspect,

some eight paces distant from the water. I plucked my companion's garment and very gradually sat

down. Then I took careful aim and was about to