Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-13
CHAPTER III.
THE ELEPmANT-TAMER's CHILLI

~ Wv
CHAPTER III.
THE ELEPHANT-TAMER'S CHILD.
Next morning Bux Khan entered on
his duties as the mahout OF the ele-
phant Shaitan. According to his pre-
diction, Shaitan, after the severe lesson
it had received, remained quiet and
made no attempt to attack him. The
animal would not, however, allow any
one else to approach it, and an UNI
fortunate fodder coolie, who carelessly
went within its reach while throwing it
a bundle OF grass, received blow from
his trunk that sent him to the hospital
for several days. Bux Khan had conse-
quently himself to do all the work con-
nected with the elephant-!o feed and
battle it, and to dress its sores, and to
clean out its stable. He took it every
day to work and it wrought steadily
and quietly, without eyincing the slight
est disposition to attack any of the
other elephants. In fact, Shaitan be-
came, to all intents andpurpOses, per-
fectly steady, Woodworking elephant,
with the single fault that it was exceed
ingly dangerous foi any person but It's
mahout to go near it.
The feat that Bux Khan had per-
formed in subduing Shaitan made him,
in the eyes of all who were employed at
the kheddah, a sort Of hero. None Of
them, however, could understand the
strange power he seemed to exercise
over the savage brute. Many of them
attributed it to magic. An impudcnt
fodder coolie ventured to ask him
one day what was the charm
he employed. But so fierce wa;
the scowl with which the AZ
CHAN responded to the question that
the man tsrned hastily away, and never
afterward dared to speak to him. The
peculiar temper and disposition Of the
elephant-tamer only served to confirm
the opinion Of his fellows that there
was something uncanny about him.
lie was very taciturn, never speak
ing except on matters Of business.
Frequently, though addressed in a
friendly manner, he would make no
reply. When not at work he would
sit smoking for hours near his ele-
phant. with his eyes on the ground, ST.
lent and motionless, and apparently
obliyious Of all surroundings. lie would
not associate with any of his fellow
mahouts. but cooked his own meals
and ate them by himself. Bux Khan,
however. won golden opinions from
Captain Eaton by the way he did his
work. Shaitan rapidly improved in
condition and temper, and became as
valuable and useful an animal as any
in the kheddah.
About three days after his installa.
ton as Shaitan's mahout Bux Khan APP
piled one afternoon for an hours leave
Of absence. On his return he brought
with him little boy, about five years
old, who was evidently his son, though
as unlike him in many respects as it
was possible to be. The child was ex-
ceedingly pretty, Of bright olive COM
plexion, with an oval face, regular fea-
lures, great soft black eyes, and
long, dark, curling hair, descending
to his shoulders. lie was dressed in
bright-colored clothes, and wore gold
bangles and anklcts. As Bux Khan
entered the kheddah carrying the child
its beauty Immediately attracted the
attention Of the people standing near,
and many friendly remarks were made
and salutations uttered. The Afghln,
however, made no reply, and took no
notice Of anybody, but carried the child
straight to his hut at the back of Shat
tan's stable. There he remained I'M
disturbed, every person in the kheddah
having by this time learned better than
to thrust his company or conversation on
the elephant-tamer unbidden.
1t very soon became evident that Bux
Khan was passionately fond of his
child, and also exceedingly jealous Of
any attentions paid to it. lie resented
Enthusiastically any attempt on the part
OF strangers to patronize or pet the
child, and would not allow it to play
with the other children in the kheddah.
of whom there were many. He rarely
let it out Of his sight, and tended it as
carefully and gently as a mother her
first-born. The child was as fond o!
: him as lie Of it, and would
! lie in his lap as he sat smoking.
pulling his beard with its little
hands snd laughing in his face with
childish glee. At such times something
like the ghost of grim smile would
pass over the elephant-tamer's rigid
features, only TO be exchanged for a
dark frown should any stranger pass
by and witness the little scene.
Something which happened one day
efleciually put stop TO any further
disposition on the part Of the people in
the kheddah to take notice Of the child.
Observing one Of the elephant attendants
to be gazing very earnestly at the child
as it was playing about, Bux Khan
Immediately concluded he was casting
an evil eye on it. Starting to his feet,
the Afghan seized a heavy cud-
gel and rushed at the man. Luckily
for himself the fellow was a nimbls
runner, and succeeded in escaping I'M
hurt. The matter was reported to Cap
tain Eaton, and he was n first disposed
to punish Bux Khan for the unprovoked
attack, but afterward decided to pass
1t over, as the man attacked had not
been hurt, and he thought it would do
more harm than good to take notice OF
it. Nothing was known Of the mother