my back to mount, the elephants were so very near that I really expected to feel one of their trunks lay hold of me. I rode up to Kleinboy for my doublebarrelled two-grooved rifle; he and Isaac were pale, and almost speechless with fright. Returning to the charge, I was soon once more alongside, and, firing from the saddle, I sent another brace of bullets into the wounded elephant. Colesberg was extremely unsteady, and destroyed the correctness of my aim. The "friend" now seemed resolved to do some mischief, and charged me furiously, pursuing me to a distance of several hundred yards. I therefore deemed it proper to give her a gentle hint to act less officiously, and, accordingly, having loaded, I approached within thirty yards, and gave it her sharp, right and left, behind the shoulder, upon which she at once made off with drooping trunk, evidently with a mortal wound. I never recur to this my first day's elephant-shooting without regretting my folly in contenting myself with securing only one elephant. The first was now dying, and could not leave the ground, and the second was also mortally wounded, and I had only to follow and finish her; but I foolishly allowed her to escape, while I amused myself with the first, which kept walking backwards, and standing by every tree she passed. Two shots more finished her; on receiving them, she tossed her trunk up and down two or three times, and, falling on her broadside against a thorny tree, which yielded like grass before her enormous weight, she uttered a deep hoarse cry, and expired. A LIONESS. The lioness having had a long start of me, we went over a considerable extent of ground before I came up with her. She was a large, full-grown beast, and the bare and level nature of the plain added to her imposing appearance. Finding that I gained upon her, she reduced her pace froin a canter to a trot, carrying her tail stuck out behind her, and slewed a little to one side. I shouted loudly to her to halt, as I wished to speak with her; upon which she suddenly pulled up, and sat on her haunches like a dog, with her back towards me, not even deigning to look round. She then appeared to say to herself, "Does this fellow know who he is after?" Having thus sat for half a minute, as if involved in thought, she sprang to her feet, and, facing about, stood looking at me for a few seconds, moving her tail slowly from side to side, showing her teeth, and growling fiercely. She next made a short run forwards, making a loud, rumbling noise like thunder. This she did to intimidate me; but, finding that I did not flinch an inch, nor seem to heed her hostile demonstrations, she quietly stretched out her massive arms, and lay down on the grass. My Hottentots now coming up, we all three dismounted, and, drawing our rifles from their holsters, we looked to see if the powder was up in the nipples, and put on our caps. While this was doing, the lioness sat up, and showed evident symptoms of uneasiness. She looked first at us, and then behind her, as if to see if the coast were clear; after which she made a short run towards us, uttering her deep-drawn murderous growls. Having secured the three horses to one another by their reins, we led them on as if we intended to pass her, in the hope of obtaining a broadside. But this she carefully avoided to expose, presenting only her full front. I had given Stofolus my Moore rifle, with orders to shoot her if she should spring upon me, but on no account to fire before me. Kleinboy was to stand ready to hand me my Purdey rifle, in case the two-grooved Dixon should not prove sufficient. My men as yet had been steady, but they were in a precious stew, their faces having assumed a ghastly paleness; and I had a painful feeling that I could place no reliance on them. Now, then, for it, neck or nothing! She is within sixty yards of us, and she keeps advancing. We turned the horses' tails to her. I knelt on one side, and, taking a steady aim at her breast, let fly. The ball cracked loudly on her tawny hide, and crippled her in the shoulder, upon which she charged with an appalling roar, and in the twinkling of an eye she was in the midst of us. At this moment Stofolus's rifle exploded in his hand; and Kleinboy, whom I had ordered to stand ready by me, danced about like a duck in a gale of wind. The lioness sprung upon Colesberg, and fearfully lacerated his ribs and haunches with her horrid teeth and claws. The worst wound was on his haunch, which exhibited a sickening, yawning gash, more than twelve inches long, almost laying bare the very bone. I was very cool and steady, and did not feel in the least degree nervous, having fortunately great confidence in my own shooting; but I must confess, when the whole affair was over, I felt that it was a very awful situation, and attended with extreme peril, as I had no friend with me on whom I could rely. When the lioness sprang on Colesberg, I stood out from the horses, ready with my second barrel for the first chance she should give me of a clear shot. This she quickly did; for, seemingly satisfied with the revenge she had now taken, she quitted Colesberg, and, slewing her tail to one side, trotted sulkily past within a few paces of me, taking one step to the left. I pitched my rifle to my shoulder, and in another second the lioness was stretched on the plain a lifeless corpse. In the struggles of death she half turned on her back, and stretched her neck and forearms convulsively, when she fell back to her former position-her mighty arms hung powerless by her side, her lower jaw fell, blood streamed from her mouth, and she expired. At the moment I fired my second shot, Stofolus, who hardly knew whether he was alive or dead, allowed the three horses to escape, These galloped frantically across the plain; on which he and Kleinboy instantly started after them, leaving me standing alone and unarmed within a few paces of the lioness, which they, from their anxiety to be out of the way, evidently considered quite capable of doing further mischief. LIONS, HYÆNAS, AND JACKALS. On reaching the water, I looked towards the carcass of the rhinoceros, and, to my astonishment, I beheld the ground alive with large creatures, as though a troop of zebras were approaching the fountain to drink. Klein boy remarked to me that a troop of zebras were standing on the height. I answered, "Yes;" but I knew very well that zebras would not be capering around the carcass of a rhinoceros. I quickly arranged my blankets, pillow, and guns in the hole, and then lay down to feast my eyes on the interesting sight before me. It was bright moonlight, as clear as I need wish, and within one night of being full moon. There were six large lions, about twelve or fifteen byænas, and from twenty to thirty jackals, feasting on and around the carcasses of the three rhinoceroses. The lions feasted peacefully, but the hyænas and jackals fought over every mouthful, and chased one another round and round the carcasses, growling, laughing, screeching, chattering, and howling without any intermission. The hyænas did not seem afraid of the lions, although they always gave way before them; for I observed that they followed them in the most disrespectful manner, and stood laughing, one or two on either side, when any lions came after their comrades to examine pieces of skin or bones which they were dragging away. I had lain watching this banquet for about three hours, in the strong hope that, when the lions had feasted, they would come and drink. Two black and two white rhinoceroses had made their appearance, but, scared by the smell of the blood, they had made off. At length the lions seemed satisfied. They all walked about with their heads up, and seemed to be thinking about the water; and in two minutes one of them turned his face towards me, and came on; he was immediately followed by a second lion, and in half a minute by the remaining four. It was a decided and general move, they were all coming to drink right bang in my face, within fifteen yards of me. I charged the unfortunate, pale, and panting Kleinboy to convert himself into a stone; and knowing, from the spoor, exactly where they would drink, I cocked my left barrel, and placed myself and gun in position. The six lions came steadily on along the stony ridge, until within sixty yards of me, when they halted for a minute to reconnoitre. One of them stretched out his massive arms I Christ in his work, the Spirit in his temple, the Church,-these are to constitute the primary objects of your inquiry. on the rock and lay down; the others ment, and begin to entertain a strong then came on, and he rose and brought hope that you will, in the end, become up the rear. They walked, as I had an intelligent and useful man. You anticipated, to the old drinking-place, lost a good deal of time after leaving and three of them had put down their us, but I trust you will yet make up heads and were lapping the water for it, by a diligent and prayerful aploudly, when Kleinboy thought it ne- plication. You have chosen the good cessary to shove up his ugly head. I part that shall not be taken from you, turned my head slowly to rebuke him, and have not only through grace given and again turning to the lions I found yourself to the Lord, but professed myself discovered. An old lioness, your faith in him before many witwho seemed to take the lead, had de- nesses. What now remains, then, to tected me, and, with her head high, be done, to answer the ends of the and her eyes fixed full upon me, she dedication? Just this, that you was coming slowly round the corner should exert every nerve in the use of the little valley to cultivate further of all the appointed means to prepare my acquaintance! This unfortunate yourself for the service of the Son of coincidence put a stop at once to all God. In order to this, study is infurther contemplation. I thought, indispensable; and God in his word, my haste, that it was perhaps most prudent to shoot this lioness, especially as none of the others had noticed me. I accordingly moved my arm and covered her: she saw me move, and halted, exposing a full broadside. fired; the ball entered one shoulder, and passed out behind the other. She bounded forward with repeated growls, and was followed by her five comrades, all enveloped in a cloud of dust; nor did they stop until they had reached the cover behind me, except one old gentleman, who halted and looked back for a few seconds, when I fired, but the ball went high. I listened anxiously for some sound to denote the approaching end of the licness; nor listened in vain. I heard her growling, and stationary, as if dying. In one minute her comrades crossed the valley a little below me, and made towards the rhinoceros. I then slipped Wolf and Boxer on her scent, and, following them into the cover, I found her lying dead within twenty yards of where the old lion had lain two nights before. This was a fine old lioness, with perfect teeth, and was certainly a noble prize; but I felt dissatisfied at not having rather shot a lion, which I had most certainly done if my Hottentot had not destroyed my contemplation. LETTERS TO ELDER SCHOLARS. DEAR CHRISTOPHER,-I have of late been much pleased with your deport The means for self improvement are more simple, and more within reach, than would at first be believed by those who have never thought about the subject. Some of them already exist within us; the others are round about us: they are self-control, diligence, perseverance, and reading, study, observation, conversation, and, above all, the study of the sacred Scriptures, with prayer for Divine teaching. The hand of the diligent, we are told, maketh rich. Working by fits and starts is about as profitable as digging up a newly-planted bean day after day, to see how it is growing. More is lost in the idle season than was gained during the short spell of activity. Not by such means can the storehouses of the mind be filled. But some will say, what is the use of talking about diligence and perseverance to us, who cannot become diligent and persevering, try what we will? To such we answer, Have you ever tried the right way, or in real earnest? In what way are machines set in motion? By power! If power cannot be had, the wheels and cranks will not move; but once apply power, and the works keep going as long as you please. So it is with the mind; there must be impulses or motives, which are the same as power; and, when these come thoroughly into ac tion, we shall not be long in finding There out that habits of diligence and per- come. sin and folly of idolatry, that his confidence in idols was shaken, and he longed to know for a certainty whether the images he had been accustomed to worship were really possessed of power or not. One day his father and mother went out, and left him at home alone. He had spent some time in reading his tasks, and thinking over what he had been taught at the school the day before. At last the idea came into his mind that it would be a good thing to burn the idols. He was, however, afraid, partly on account of his parents, and partly from the dread he had of offending the gods, and bringing down upon him swift destruction. In this dithculty he knelt down, and entreated the God of the Christians to take care of him and help him. He then rose, and, taking up one of the smallest idols, he put it on the fire; the flames kindled about it, and in a short time not a vestige of it remained. The territed child looked on with astonishment; but no sooner was the first con another, and another, till, like Gideon At your time of life the perception is quick, and the memory susceptible. Do, then, exert yourself; and each successive year ought to add immensely to your intellectual riches; you ought to be conscious of vast accessions to your store of knowledge and the im-sumed than he threw on another, and provement of your understanding. I entreat you thoroughly to bottom your religious knowledge: and I know no method so helpful to this as the use of some of the best old Puritan or Nonconformist Catechisms. Could you lay your hand on the "Exposition of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism," by Vincent, or by Fisher, or by Brown, and would you thoroughly study it out and out, you would derive from it a measure of benefit which would accompany you to the close of your earthly existence. I know nothing to which, under God, I myself owe so much of the measure of acquaintance with these things which it is my comfort to enjoy. I beseech you, therefore, to procure some of these publications, with a Reference Bible, and a Concordance, and to buckle to with all your might, to ground yourself in the knowledge of Divine things, and you will hear further, in due season, from your friend, A MINISTER. A YOUNG GIDEON. A BOY belonging to one of the schools established by the missionaries in the South Seas, had heard so much of the In He While he was there, his father and mother returned, and, missing at once the idols and the boy, they feared some spirit had come and taken them away together. As soon as they could recover themselves a little, they went to the missionary, and asked him if he knew anything about their son. said he did not; but, suspecting what had been done, he offered to accompany them and find him out. After going in various directions, they bent their steps to the wood, and there, at some distance, under the shadow of a large tree, they saw the lad kneeling before THE DYING BOY. God. The parents were so thankful At a subsequent interview the gento see him again, and to find that not tleman refused any remuneration for a hair of his head had been hurt, that his torn garment, declaring that the they forgot their rebukes, were per-joke was worth the price of his coat. suaded to renounce their heathenish customs, and henceforth gave themselves up to the study of the Holy Scriptures. The boy, encouraged by the Divine goodness, was confirmed in his resolution to be the Lord's, and afterward became a zealous teacher in the schools, and a preacher of the Gospel among his brethren. AN INTELLIGENT DOG. A GENTLEMAN, while discussing the merits of his dog not long since, remarked that he was valuable to go of errands. As an illustration of this point, he privately secreted his handkerchief behind the cushion of the sofa, and left the inn, in company with his dog. After walking for some minutes, he suddenly stopped, and said to his dog, "I have left my handkerchief at the inn, and want it"-giving no particular directions in reference to it. The dog immediately returned at full speed, and entered the room which his master had just left. He went directly to the sofa, but the handkerchief was gone. He jumped upon tables, counters, &c., but it was not to be seen. It proved that a friend had discovered it, and supposing that it had been left by mistake, had retained it for the owner. But Tiger was not to be foiled; his master's property he must have. He flew about the room, apparently much excited, in quest of the "lost or stolen." Soon, however, he was upon the track -he scented it to the gentleman's coat-pocket. What was to be done? The dog had no means of asking verbally for it, and was not accustomed to pick pockets; and, besides, the gentleman was ignorant of his business with him. But Tiger's sagacity did not suffer him to remain long in suspense; he seized the skirt containing the prize, and furiously tore it from the coat, and hastily made off with it, much to the surprise of its owner. Tiger overtook his master, and restored the lost property, receiving his approbation, notwithstanding he did it at the expense of the gentleman's coat. SPEAK to me, mother! The fading day And I feel his hand on my shortening Then speak to me, mother, and quell thy no more, And their hymns give thanks for the They call me, with voices sweet and low! Then speak to me, mother! But not of It darkens my spirit, and loads my breath, rest: shore, Where death cannot come, and we part no more! |