And the “dear elephant,” as if he understood what was meant, immediately stopped drinking, and at once began to spray himself with the water, first his legs, then his back, and lastly his two sides.
In the meanwhile it began to get dark, and so Stasch guided the little girl back to the hedge, where supper was already awaiting them.
Both children were in the best of humor—Nell, because she had saved the elephant’s life, and Stasch, because he saw her small eyes gleaming like stars and her happy little face looking fresher and healthier than it had since their departure from Khartum. What also added to the satisfaction of the boy was that he had promised himself a quiet and good night’s rest. The strip of land, inaccessible on two sides, ensured them from attack from those directions, and on the third side Kali and Mea had erected such a high hedge out of prickly acacias and branches of passiflora[[22]] that there was no possibility of any beast of prey being able to break through the barrier. Besides the weather was fine, and soon after sunset the sky was studded with stars. It was very pleasant to be cooled off by being in the proximity of the waterfall, and to breathe the heavy fragrance of the jungle and the freshly broken off branches.
“The ‘fly’ will not get the fever here!” thought Stasch joyfully.
They began to talk about the elephant, for Nell could speak of nothing else, and she continually expressed her admiration for his huge size, his trunk, and his tusks, which really were enormous. At last she said:
“How wise he is, Stasch, isn’t he?”
“As wise as Solomon,” replied Stasch. “But how did you find that out?”
“Because, when I asked him to stop drinking, he immediately complied with my request.”
“If he had never taken lessons in the English language before, and understands what you said to him, then indeed it is quite remarkable.”
Nell perceived that Stasch was making fun of her, so she fondled him like a little kitten, and said: