"The same fate awaits us," replied M. Delange, "if we stay where we are. These animals are taking possession of the whole clearing by degrees, and in a very short time will reach us."
"Let us drive them away," said M. de Morin, getting close to his friends.
They all in silence questioned him by a look, for none of them saw his drift.
"We have nine guns in our possession," resumed M. de Morin, "without counting the two revolvers in the ladies' hands. That is more than we need to get rid of these unfortunate visitors."
"What do you mean? Do you want us to attack fifty elephants of their calibre?" exclaimed M. Delange. "It would be madness."
"Who said anything about attacking them? I only want to frighten them. We will fire in the air, and I will lay any wager you like that they will all take to flight."
"And if they fly in our direction?"
"Impossible. The first impulse of all animals, whatever they be, is, when they are alarmed, to rush off by the way that they came."
A consultation, sotto voce, was held for some moments, but the enemy drew nearer and nearer, and as retreat was out of the question, seeing that it would have led to a pursuit, it was resolved that the advice of M. de Morin should be followed.
At a given signal the nine rifles and two revolvers were simultaneously fired in the air.