The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-17

/ plants, and each man bcnt himself to
his oar and pulled as he had never pulled
before to steer the raft away from its
! tho dreaded collision that was other
wiso inevitable. But it was too late,
and all their work was in vain. When
the crew saw that they were suro to
bring up against the big, mad, roaring
/ elephant, every ono OF them, from the
/ pilot down, gave up tho ship, jumped
/ into tho river, and struck out in q wild
and hcltcr-skclter race for tho New
York shore The deserted raft rushed
hclplessly on. Old Tip never moved
from his tracks. His fury was sight
to see.
Tho raft was made of hernlocli logs,
and was at least orc hundred feet long
and forty wide. Tho water WAS swift,
and so deep where Tip stood that 1t
reached above his belly. Although /,
was early in the morning, crowds OF
people had gathered on both sides OF
the river TO witness the novel sight OF
an elephant fording the stream When
they saw Old Tip stop in the deepest
part and wait for the raft, and resist all
efforts TO get him out of the way, the
people grew wild with excitement.
Every one, including the circus people.
expected to see the elephant, enormous
as lie was, carried away, and done up in
great shape by the raft, and his owner
4 81 L.. -. r.
just then for five dollars. Eut the ugiy
old brute came out strong. If he lad
had 4 sure footing on the river bottom,
there is no telling what he wouldn't
have done with the raft
"Eut as it was when the shock came
the raft tremblcd and snapped, and its
speed was greatly diminished. Tie
big elephant couldn't hold its footing
on the slippery stones, and the heavy
raft in tile swift current carried him
with it down stream. Old Tip didn't
move down as if he had 10. but as il &c
he WAS feeling for secure foo,holl, -
that lie could get his work in on his as
sailant and wrecl, it to pieces, tEcro and
then. He did get 4 fooihold now and
then, bat only a temporary one. Every
time he stopped, though, he lcsscncd
the speed OF the raft until its momcn.
tum WAS SO much overcome that the
hind cad of the raft began 10 swing
with tho force OF the current. When
this began the swift water soon carried
the hind end around until it had be-
come the front end, and the raft ran
away from Hippo diaconally toward the
New York shore. The elephant gazcd
after it as If in triumph, and raised his
trunk and trumpeted loudly. Once he
seemed 10 have made up his mind to
pursue his defeated foe, and took a fcw
steps forward. But he evidently recon
sidcce,i that motion, and, stopping in
the middle of the rapids, stood there
trumpcting and throwing water around
like 4 whole Fl epartment.
The raft, u as ii was out OF the
rafting channel, ran perhaps hunircd
yards. There it was cast upon 4 rocky
rec. that formed the river bed in part OF
the channel. The logs few in all direc.
tons, and tho raft was matjc about as
complete wreck rs one would caro- t.
see. ~ sight of tia, Od rip rave =
roa? that deaf man might have heard
4 mile away. Tho baa.Haa wha LAD
charge Of Tippo's keeper bad rowed
wildly 10 the Pennsylvania shore with
the keeper, In spite Of the lat,crs pro
tests. the moment tie collision between
the raft and the elephant had becoaae. +,
sure thing When the rat ran or the
roc,.s the keeper induced the native TO
rev him back TO where the clcphan,
stood. sounding blasts Of victory in his
trumpet. Old Tip seemed 10 be entirety
satisfied. He had spen; his fury on the
raft ana felt better He turned obe.
dientiv u: his Keepers order AMI 70.
sumol lis march to Prnnsylyan,., =.
docile as if nothing had occurred Inn,
morning 20 disturb his temper in the
least.
ION r,oori,- The s,o~. -. ...o,o-
-,,.,c. - III, 80 500 ,y,.c.hcr no IA .o..
20 ,,ol rccoi,o5 o,r inr,. =, 49,.
comm. There wasn't mo Son ~ o,,c,
= sr-.a..,.f .,ra7. MIN Wbila ,lov sod
IN Two l9-l; however cnD"lp ~ = ,,..,-
soar corni,,r down ms, ta,ay no
br.1 a. The men on ina, raft had seen
Tho ra.,e- ra-,of Tho misunderstood
i'm Ie,,yea, Orl Tin and ,ba 49,. roo1
Of tl.e,a and baI been Min, v',b AN
,bc;r mn, 10 run-,bcir rae, 70 no Va%
Vol. sls-c Thor tro 1T. -,
on. of Tho yo,sr 60 ,oori.,, II.
tho be.I cor,,r,,c,, .,,,,,4a - 80
oyer ard thew rc.,ad on lh~ir cars
roY:cnt "a mass on Tfnno Ma rn, 500.
this raft until i, had run down 10 =
point aIr,os, even Win tbe..n,, > hero
fo ,yas sta,d,,, Tno, H.. CO., .,.,s,
a. i, lie Ca ., +, e.. - -,
twoi, anlazca,oel. /, ra..ss Il 10 49,.
sariro
".UhatI Another one want somc O.
MO-
.TbcD he raised his trunk, gave bel
low that made every thing rattle, and
CHARGED down tho bank for the river