The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-19


 ventured to ask hisn one day what was the charm he employed. But so fierce
 was the scowl with which the Afghan re- sponded to the question that the man turned hastily away, and never afterward dared to speak to him. The peculiar temper and disposition of the elephant tanner only served to confirm the opinion of his tello vs that there was something uncanny about him. He was very taci- turn, never speaking except on matters of business. Frequently, though addressed in friendly manner, he would make no reply. When not at work, he would sit smoking for hours near his elephant, with his eyes on the ground, silent and mo- tionless, and apparently oblivious of all surroundings. He would not associate with any of his fellow-mahou;s, but cooked his own meals and ate them by himself. Bux Khan, however, won golden opinions rom Captain Eaton by the way he did his work. Shaitaa rapidly inn proved in condition and temper, and be- came as valuable and useful an animal as any in the kheddah
 About three days after his installation as Shaitan's mahout, Bux Khan applied one afternoon for an hours leave of ab- sence. On his return, he brought with him little boy, about five years old, who was evidently his son, though as unlike him Ia many respects as 1t was possible to be The child was exceedingly pretty, of bright olive complexion, with an oval lace, regular features, great soft black eyes, and long dark curling hair, descend ing to his shoulders. He was dressed in brIght-colored clothes, and wore gold bangles and anklets. As Bux Khan en tered the kheddah carrying the child, its beauty immediately attracted the atten- ton of the people standing near, and many friendly remarks were made and salutations uttered. The Afghan, how ever, made no reply, and took no notice of anybody, but carried the child straight to his hut at the back of Shaitan's s stable. There he remained undisturbed, every person in the kheddah having by this time learned better than to thrust his company or conversation on the elephant tanner unbidden
 It very soon became evident that Bux Khan was passionately fond of his child, and also exceedingly jealous of any att tention paid to it. He resented unmis- takably any attempt on the part of strangers to patronize or pet the child, and would not allow 1t 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 mother her first-born. The child was as fond of him as he of it, and would lie in his lap as he sat smoking pulling his beard with its little hands and in his face with childish glee. At such times something like the ghost of grim smile would pass over the ele- rigid features, only to be for dark frown should any stranger pass by and witness the little scene.
 Something which happened one day etiectually put a stop to any further dis position on the part of the people in the kheddah to take notice of the child. Ob- serving one of the elephant attendants to be gazing very earnestly at the child as it was playing about, Bux Khan immediate ly concluded that he was casting an evil eye on it. Starting to his feet, the Afghan seized heavy cudgel and rushed at the man. Luckily for himself, the fellow was a nimble runner, and succeeded in es- caping unhurt. The matter was reported 10 Captain Eaton, and he was at first dis. posed to punish Bux Khan for the unpro- voked attack but afterwari decided to pass it over, as the man attacked had not been hurt, and he thought t would do more harm than good to take notice of 1t. Nothing was known of the mother of the child; put there was a dark rumor in the kheddah that Bux Khan had in fit of ealousy murdered his wife a young girl to whom he had been de. rotedly attached, and had since, gone mad with remorse. One thing was cer- ain no one ventured to question him on he subject.
 Several weeks passed away, and Cap ain Eaton had seen no reason to change he good opinion he had formed of the He was by far the best nahout in the kheddah and his sobriety, 'teadiness and regularity made him a model to all the others. His good con. 1uct soon brought him an unexpected re- ward.
 For some time past Eaton had been with the conduct of the jenna lar, his head man. He was getting very ,ld, and being of an easy, kindly dispo. 'ition, had allowed many irregularities to creep into the daily work in the kheddah, he consequence being that discipline was much relaxed. Another thing that troubled | Captain Eaton was that a batch of ele- ,hants had recently arrived at the khed- ,ah from Lower Bengal, the mahouts and coolies in charge of which were the worst | le had ever had to deal with. They were i most of them low-caste Hindus, and were ! noisy, drunken, turbulent lot, ever giv- ng trouble, and taxing Eaton's patience 70 the utmost. Drunken orgies, followed oy fights, had oflate been offrrquent oc- while several of the men, being confirmed bang-smokers, were often in- capable of work. Complaints of petty shefts in the kheddah had also become | common. Captain Eaton had dismissed | one or two and logged others without matters much, and was now at his wits end. He determined to pen- kA ~1A I~