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Updated: May 14, 2025
Beyond doubt the kite had become detached above; and, yielding to the strain upon the rope, caused by Ossaroo's weighty was being pulled towards the edge of the precipice! Would the resistance be equal to the weight of the man's body? Would it let him down easily?
In truth, Ossaroo's position was one of extreme peril so much so that Karl and Caspar now perceiving themselves comparatively safe from the pursuit uttered a simultaneous cry: both believing that their faithful guide and follower was on the point of "coming to grief." Ossaroo seemed bewildered at the very imminence of the danger.
See, sahibs, the rogue he go down, down he sinkee in de quicksand that near swalley Ossaroo; he-ho; sinkee! he sinkee!" Karl and Caspar easily comprehended the meaning of Ossaroo's broken but exultant speeches. Bending their eyes on the brute below, and watching its movements, they at once perceived that the shikaree had spoken the truth. The elephant was evidently sinking in the quicksand!
Whether they would choose to go fishing with Ossaroo's net, and have fish for their dinner, or whether they would try for another peacock, or an argus pheasant, or a brace of Brahminy geese; or whether they would take to the woods and search for grander game, had not become a decided point; when an incident occurred that settled the question, as to what they were to have for dinner.
But the bark was also a characteristic: being exceedingly tenacious, and moreover of a strongly acrid taste so much so as to cauterise he skin of Ossaroo's mouth, who had been foolish enough to chew it too freely.
Karl sent the bullet from his rifle right between the tusks of the advancing foe; while Caspar fired both barrels of his piece "bang" into the forehead of the monster. Ossaroo's arrow was seen sticking through the elephant's trunk; and the moment after Ossaroo's heels were presented to the enemy.
Ossaroo knew that the animal was the "wha," a name derived from its ordinary call; and that it was sometimes known as the "chetwa," and also the "panda." Karl, on hearing Ossaroo's name for it, and indeed, on hearing it pronounced by the creature itself, was able to identify the animal, and to give it still another name that which has been bestowed upon it by Frederick Cuvier ailurus.
Ossaroo's speech, however compatible with a true faith, did not contribute much towards cheering the spirits of the party; and for another long interval all remained silent. Caspar and Ossaroo appeared completely prostrated by the new disappointment. Karl, on the other hand, seemed less disposed to view things despairingly; and as he sate, was evidently engaged in active thought.
Often might it be heard twanging among the trees; and as often did the shikaree's arrow pierce the breast of some fine bird a peacock, or argus pheasant, or one of the beautiful Brahminy geese that frequented the waters of the lake. Ossaroo's nets and lines, too, were not without their use.
Its violent struggles, moreover the partial and alternate raising of its shoulders, its excited shrieks and the proboscis, rapidly extended now to this side, now to that, as if searching to grasp some support all proved the truth of Ossaroo's assertion the rogue was sinking in the quicksand. And rapidly was the creature going down.
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