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Updated: May 12, 2025
Ossaroo had voluntarily offered himself for this perilous performance; and his offer had been accepted. Not that either of the others were at all afraid to have run the risk.
Ossaroo sneered at their over-caution telling them, that there was not the slightest fear of frightening the storks; and indeed there was truth in what he affirmed. In most countries bordering upon the banks of the Ganges, these birds, protected alike by superstitious fears and edicts of law, have become so used to the proximity of man, that they will scarce stir out of their way to avoid him.
"Oh! an elephant!" echoed Karl and Caspar both considerably relieved at this natural explanation of what had appeared so like a supernatural apparition. "Certainly the thing looked like one," continued Caspar. "But how could an elephant enter this valley?" Ossaroo could not answer this question.
The Cliff Climbers by Captain Mayne Reid Emerging from the cave after their fruitless exploration, all three Karl, Caspar, and Ossaroo sat down upon the rocks in front of the cliff, and for some time remained silent. The looks of all betokened a deep and hopeless despair. The same thought was passing in their minds.
Here and there its great footprints were visible in the turf, in places where the ground was soft; and at other places where no tracks appeared, leaves and twigs freshly strewn upon the earth, and also branches of considerable size broken off from the trees, and borne for some distance before being dropped, clearly indicated to Ossaroo the route which the rogue had taken.
How long it might have continued was not left to the determination of the parties themselves; but to Ossaroo, who, while they were thus occupied, rushed upon the spot; and, flinging wide his arms, enfolded both the birds in an embrace, from which they vainly struggled to get free.
Ten days after, on that same cliff stood a score of men a glad sight to Karl, Caspar, and Ossaroo. Even Fritz barked with joy as he beheld them! Against the blue background of the sky, it could be perceived that these men carried coils of rope, pieces of wood, and other implements that might be required for scaling a cliff.
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.
One might have fancied that it was about to climb the obelisk; and this it would certainly have done had the thing been possible. As it was, however, Ossaroo was not out of danger: for as the elephant stood on its hind-legs, with its prehensile proboscis extended to the full length, the tip of the latter was not more than six inches from the soles of his feet.
As their bean-sacks had been already filled, it was determined that they should first take them to the hut, and then return to the storks with the design of capturing them. Ossaroo was of the opinion, that they would have no difficulty in effecting this; declaring the birds to be so tame, that he might walk straight up to them, and throw a noose over their necks.
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