"Yes, for the sake of the cattle; the poor creatures deserve a couple of days' rest."
"Do you observe how the mimosas are torn up on the other side of the river?" said Swinton; "the elephants have been very numerous there lately."
"Why do they tear the trees up?" said Alexander.
"To feed upon the long roots, which are very sweet; they destroy an immense number of the smaller trees in that manner."
"Well, we must have another elephant-hunt," said the Major.
"We may have hunts of every kind, I expect, here," replied Swinton; "we are now in the very paradise of wild animals, and the further we go the more we shall find."
"What a difference there is in one day's journey in this country," observed Alexander; "yesterday morning there was not a creature to be seen, and all was silent as death. Now listen to the noise of the birds, and as for beasts, I suspect we shall not have far to look for them."
"No, for there is a hippopotamus just risen; and now he's down again—there's food for a fortnight at one glance," cried the Major.
"How the horses and sheep are enjoying themselves—they are making up for lost time; but here come the wagons."
"Well, then, I must get up and attend to my department," said the Major. "I presume that we must expect our friends the lions again now."