Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1861-07-18

manner out Wne0 ne SCruck, IL seemed as
if the conclusion, after first bruising me,
and almost knocking the breath from my
body, relaxed every nerve. Doubtless, l
sh ould have fallen to the earth below, only
that I was pretty securely balanced in the
crotch of the tree, and having resisted the
main shock, had now no difficulty in retain
ing an upright position.
"On again looking down at the elephant,
I was surprised to see him with his head
fast against the tree, lashing his tail, paw
ing the earth, and uttering sort of moan
ing, believing sound, altogether not unlike
a vicious bull when about to make an attack.
[ did not at first comprehend what had oc-
Cured, but supposed his actions to result
from the anger Of disappointment in not be-
ing able to bring me to the ground. But l
soon had cause for rejoicing rather than fear.
His last charge had been made with so much
force, as to imbed his long ivory tusks in
the tree and he was now prisoner to his
own brute strength. In vain he pulled and
wrenched, moaned, beloved, and lashed
himself into perfect fury. There he was,
fast prisoner-caught, as one mig say,
in his own trap-and if ever poor mortal
was justified in rejoicing over the misfortunes
of living creature, think that individual
was myself.
'sBut was still prisoner also. How
was to get down and how make nay escape
when down? True, the elephant mi ght not
be able to iberate himself in time to do nae
any injury; but I already knew enough of
the terrible jungle to feel little inclination
to set off through it alone. There were
many intricate paths leading off from the
main one, over which had been borne, and
the mistake of taking any one of these would
certainly be fatal. What was to do? 1t
was reasonable to hope that some of my at
tendants would, sooner or later, return to
learn the fate Of their master, and before
venturing on anything rash, [ resolved to
wait proper time for them,
Drearily passed the next three hours that
[ remained upon my giddy perch, above the
imprisoned beast, looking off upon an undu-
lating sea of matted foliage, with the hot
sun pouring down on me and almost sitting
me with its feverish heat. How eagerly
turned my eyes in every direction in the
hope Of getting a. sight Of one of my atten-
dants to whom [ could make known my
situation No human being was in sight,
and my widest shouts brought no reply.
Should I remain where was, or descend
We were, as knew, almost half days
journey from any settlement, and it would
therefore be impossible for me to reach a
habitation before nightfall, even should I be
fortunate enough to follow the nearest path,
while single mistake would leave me to
perish in that awful solitude. I decided
therefore, to remain where was till should
see at least one human being capable of act
ing as guide.
The sun was rapidly nearing the western
horison, and I was despairing of any succol
that day. when my attention was attracted
) to commotion in the jungle, quarter oi
mile distant Birds of various kinds flew
up screaming, and either hovered over the
spot in anger, or darted quickly away il
fear. What could be the cause of this dis