CHAPTER XV
LIONS IN THE NIGHT
Shouting, screaming, imploring their deities in general, and the white men in particular for protection, the band of frightened natives broke and ran through the jungle, caring little where they went so long as they escaped the awful terror of the pursuing herd of maddened elephants. Behind them came Tom Swift and the others, for it were folly to stop in the path of the infuriated brutes.
"Our only chance is to get on their flank and try to turn them!" yelled Mr. Durban. We may beat them in getting to the clearing, for the trail is narrow. Run, everybody!"
No one needed his excited advice to cause them to hurry. They scudded along, Mr. Damon's cap falling off in his haste. But he did not stop to pick it up.
The hunters had one advantage. They were on a narrow but well-cleared trail through the
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