At last Stasch planted himself between Nell and the animal, looked severely at him, and whispered to Nell:
“Don’t run away, but retire slowly and with measured step toward the narrow passage.”
“And you, Stasch?” asked the little girl.
“Return!” he repeated energetically; “for otherwise I shall have to shoot the elephant.”
At this threat she obeyed, especially as she now completely trusted the elephant, and she felt sure that on no account would he hurt Stasch.
The boy stood four feet away from the giant, his eyes riveted on him. Several minutes elapsed, then the situation became decidedly dangerous. The elephant’s ears moved backwards and forwards several times, and he had a peculiar twinkle in his little eyes; he raised his trunk suddenly.
Stasch turned pale.
“Death!” he thought.
