172 THIRTEENTH EVENING.

Tne Lion now interposed, and commanded silence
ina tone of authority, which was instantly obeyed.
After reprimanding the delinquents for interrupting
the harmony of the meeting, he observed: “J ain by
no means convinced of the advantages to be derived
irom an attack in the daylight—tfor myself I should
prefer the dusk of the evening. True courage never
hesitates because of danger—he presses boldly terward,
and meets with victory. But we have not yet been
favoured with the opimion of the Elephant; from his
acknowledged sagacity, we may hope for the plan of a
successful attack.”

Lhe Elephant now slowly arose, elevated his trunk,
and spoke in the following manner :—“TI am by no
means certain that my opinion will meet the appro-
bation of this august assembly, yet I hope the reasons
which have induced me to adopt it will be heard with
patience. I have long and attentively watched the
motions of this new race of men, and am fully per-
suaded that they intend to drive us from our native
woods, or to accomplish our utter destruction :—-and
whether by our union we can prevent it, seems to me
a very doubtful matter. That they are more powerful
than the ancient tribes, arises principally from the
Wweapous they possess, and the mutual assistance they
afford to each other in times of danger. Individually,
they are not so bold. The black man has often fip-
proached within the length of my trunk before he has
struck his assagay into my side. He has provoked
the Lion in his den; or induced him to spring over a
precipice or a high enclosure, which he had rendered
attractive by the bleating of a sheep. How mary
have been miserably strangled in the woods, or have
perished in pits which he has dug by the river’s side,
and covered over, so as to resemble the solid ground ?
And those awful blazes of fire, which man alone can
produce, the ancient inhabitants highted every night
for their protection and our annoyance. These methods
of defence or attack seem to be despised by the new