The spilling of their powder by the elephant itself seemed like a piece of strategy on his part, leaving them in a sad dilemma.
Inside any house they might build, they would be no better protected against him than on the open ground: for the rogue had proved himself capable of demolishing the strongest walls they might construct; and to be out of his reach, they would be obliged to keep eternally among the tops of the trees, and lead the life of monkeys or squirrels--which would be a very disagreeable kind of existence.
Just then an idea occurred to Caspar that offered them an alternative to this unpleasant prospect of an arboreal life.

He bethought him of the cave in which they had killed the bear.

It could only be reached by a ladder, and would of course be inaccessible to the elephant.

Once out of their present dilemma, they might seek refuge there..