The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-27
WHOLE NO. 222.

ton was aroused by the flight of several huge
yultures, which all bent their way TO one point,
and that point very evidently not far away
from the place where | was then standing.
knew that the keen scent of these foul
things discovered the place Of carcases al
most before the vital breath had quilted the
body; and fastened with rapid steps to
their point of destination, imagining that il
was not unlikely but might save the remains
of some unfortunate fellow-wanderer from
violation by these unclean and ravenous birds.
The ground became swampy and difficult to
pass; | had TO wade through patch Of wild
rice Ito squeeze between The thick. growing
and deep rooted hangings Of the banyan tree
and Its thousand branching sprouts--to clear
my sandals from the luxuriant vines of the
piper-betel, and keep my musket on the full
cock, in case OF sudden encounter with
leopard or boar, the frequent inhabitants OF
our jungles.
cautiously creeping up small gaut,
leadngto terrace or piece Of table rock be-
side the end Of huge lagoon, spied several
the vultures perched on the bare limbs Of a
guarded aud withered PALM Scarcely had
attained the level of the stagnant pool, ere
discovered the carcass of huge elephant ~
ing on its left side. How the animal came BY
lis death in that place, never could ascertain;
although, from the discovery Of its broken
leg, which afterwards made, | suppose that
i had escaped, wounded, from the hunters Of
the plain, and crawled to this desolate spot, TO
die IN quiet The Wilderness Of its huge tusks
attracted my eye; they were Of the soundest
ivory, and ! resolved to appropriate the prize
which fortune had thus ihrowni., nv way.
An enormous vuture, with terrific talons
and hooked beak, was seated on the elephants
head, and busily engaged in tearing the flesh
from the animals eye and ear. Suddenly the
waters of the lagoon became agitated, and
crocodile rose from its Shiny bed, and crawl
ing over the immense mass Of carbon, drove
the bird from its prey. lie was the largest
and most hideous Of his species that had
ever seen; and knowing the vindctive nature
of the monster when medded with while feed
ing, covered down behind a small mound
OF earth, and watched the scene with lively
curiosity. The disappointed yultures screamed
with anger, and the scaly beast reared rs he
repealed their attacks, and clawed at the tough
hide Of the carrion hulk with vain endeavor to
detach a portion of the flesh. The cries of the
combatants seemed to call the savage inhabi-
tants of the glen from their various hiding
places jackals rushed down the opposite
hill and the dull lake swarmed with croco-
dies. A fierce combat ensued between the
original leviathan and one of the fiercest of the
new corners. l had never conceived it pos.
sible for such awkward and slow turning
quadrupeds to move SO swiftly, or deal such
terrific blows. Their gigantic claws and
irightfnl- looking mouths worked with awful
rapdity; the snappings Of their jaws exceed
ed in sound the report Of a muskct-and their
ponderous tails tapped violently with irresist-
IDLE and dangerous force. Presently, the
smallest Of the crocodes was knocked on his
back by blow from the first possessor of the
carrion; before he could recover his feet, he
was ripped down the middle by dash Of his
rivals claw, and his cntrails were dragged
forth and cast upon the neighboring rocks.
The herd Of crocodiles who had stood aloof
from the contest between the chiefs or poten,
tates Of the lake, now rushed upon the wound
ed one, and devoured with frightfu voracity
the painting entrals of the yet living brute. So
tenacious Of life is the crocodile tribe, that nj
though several hours elapsed before finally
quilted the spot, the half eaten wretch was yet
alive, and when | approached him, menaced
me with his open jaws.
"The conquetor disdained to touch his
fallen enemy, and turned to his nobler prey,
the dead elephant, whose huge carcass he
mounted, and surveyed with a careful and
steadfast gaze. As his frishtful head was
bent in downward look upon the proboscis, as
if he medtated commencing his feast, slow
~,
ing steady aim, sent the ball FLASHING through
the socket of his eye. Thereport Of the gun
in those dreary solitudes, drove the rest Of the
crocodi.es to the waters Of the lagoon, the
timid jackals scampered to the woods, and the
vutures sought the highest branches of the
surrounding trees. The wounded beast yelled
hdeously with rage and pain; he rolled from
the top of the carcass, and dashed the ground
with his scale-bound tail. One Of his blows
took effect upon the head OF the dead elephant,
and knocked the tusks assunder from the jaw.
He suddenly seemed to think of his assailant
for with roar of thunder, he daried towards
the little mound behind which had delivered
my fire. Expecting his attack, had quickly
reloaded; but, blind and mad, he dashed
straight at me, and had scarcely time to
place the muzzlc Of my musket between his
Jaws, and sent the ball to his heart. Had my
piece missed fire, had not now been here
as it was, he crunched the barrel Of my gun
between his teeth, and springing forward,
rolled over me, down the steep gaut, into the
woody Businesses of the deep and gloomy
gorge. raised the tusks Of the dead elc-
plant on my shoulders, and made my shortest
way home" d.
THE WORTH OF THE MIND