Little Holes is quite right, broke in Jerry. For
did not that afreet of a beast cast us into thepool for nothing at all?
I halted, for I confess that for a moment my knees
grew weak. The king-bull was breakinginto a dignified trot, and all his subjects
were following hisexample.
So welay down and went to sleep as
usual.
Oh no, Kaneke, certainly whatever you may be you
are not a god.
They do homage to their king, Baas, whispered Hans,
and so intruth it seemed to be.
Indeed, the silence was so oppressive thatfor once
I should have welcomed the familiar ping!
It wasas though all the elephants in Central Africa
were gathered in thatforest!
They were gaining, they were quiteclose, I could
hear their deep breathing just behind.
Just then one of thehunters looked back and gasped
out:Lord, the elephants are beginning to run.
So welay down and went to sleep as
usual.
I exclaimed, controlling my temper as best
Icould.
Now I felt that the time had come for me to put my
foot down, and Idid so with firmness.
Advance, you brave hunters, for that is your trade,
isnt it?
I was sick of the whole job and longed to escape.
Where to, seeing that they are all round us? Also I had lost my hat, and what is an
Englishmanwithout his hat?
Yes, he thinkshe is going to sleep, sniggered Hans.
To lose oneself in that forest would indeed be a dreadful fate.
In each troop the bullsmarched first, the moonlight
shining on their white tusks.
Be silent, I answered; he may understand
you.
I mean what I say, and I do know it,
Lord.
In each troop the bullsmarched first, the moonlight
shining on their white tusks. Just then one of thehunters looked back and gasped
out:Lord, the elephants are beginning to run. For a while they werestill, then as
though at a signal, they knelt down.
I stared at this solemn-faced, big-eyed man. For
now the bulls faced the cows and the rest.