Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-08-01
and smoke, and the huge elephant stopped

and smoke, and the huge elephant stopped
in his mad career The animal was only
wounded in the shoulder and not killed.
The sudden noise and flash of the rifle had
startled him, and for moment he stood
gazing at the little boy.
Then the stinging sensation in his shout
der increased his anger. He raised his
trumpet in the air and uttered noise that
fairly made the ground tremble. He
stamped one foot heavily on the ground
and then made dash for Santhal.
The little boy felt that his time had
come, and he expected to be raised in the
air by the elephant and dashed to pieces.
But there was one more chance for him
and he took advantage of it. When the
great beast was within a few yards of him
he raised his rifle the second time and took
quick aim at one of the wicked eyes.
The imminence of his danger and his close
quarters made the boys arms steady, and
the aim was correct one. The bullet en-
tered the wicked looking right eye and
passed far into the beasts head.
The elephant gave more furious blast
with his trumpet than before, and then he
began to plunge round in circle. His
right eye was gone, and he could not see
his little enemy, who had lodged to one
side.
Santhal's heart beat high with hope and
expectation now, and his fear and nervous
ness left him. The elephant was mortally
wounded, but in his death struggles he
might do considerable harm. So to hasten
his death the little boy once more endeav-
ored to get shot at him.
This time he waited for good oppor-
tunity, and taking quick aim sent a ball
into the elephants head just back of the
ear. This was fatal spot for the animal,
and he almost Immediately fell upon his
knees
AS he dropped down the terrified driver,
who had kept his seat through all of this
scene, jumped off his back and ran into
one Of the bungalows. The elephant
trumpeted and snorted fearfully, vainly
striving to rise to his feet once more, tear
ing the earth up madly in his efforts, and
then, with long drawn blast, he rolled
over in his death struggles.
In five minutes life had departed from
the huge beast, and Santhal made bold
enough to approach his side. Gradually
the natives appeared on the scene, peaking
around the sides of their houses before
daring to venture in open sight. When
they were assured that the elephant was
dead they assembled around the carcass in
a crowd
Santhal was the hero of the company,
and when he claimed the elephant as his
lawful game nobody disputed him. Even
the driver willingly gave up all claims to
the dead animal. The crowd even helped
to skin the elephant for him, and to cut
the ivory tusks off.
While engaged in this work a carriage
drove up, in which Santhal recognized the
doctor, who had been to see his grand
father and was returning.
"What is the meaning of this, Santhal?"
he asked sternly, for the boy had not kept
his agreement to meet him at his bunga-
low.
Santhal explained in few words. The
doctor listened intently, and then said:
''Well, give me the rifle"
Then he drove away without saying an
other word Santhal's heart fell, for he was
afraid that he had offended the great En-
glish doctor. But he sold the elephants
hide and tusks for a fair sum, and then re-
turned home.
His grandfather was much better, and he
listened to the boys story attentively.
When he was through he said quietly:
$50 to the English doctor, and give him
the money you got for the hide and tusks
He has been very good to me, and that will
be his pay"
So the next day he journeyed to Utter
para again, lingering few minutes on the
spot where he had so bravely fought the
elephant to death. When he reached the
dispensary he handed his money over to the
doctor and asked him to forgive him. The
doctor smiled at the boys repentent look,
and left the room for minute. When he
returned he carried the rifle in his hands.
II took the rifle away from you yester-
day, Santhal," he said, mot in anger, but
for another purpose Ihave engraved your
name on the stock here, SO that it can never
be claimed by any one else. A boy who
knows how to use rife as you do deserves
to own one So will make you present
of NINE Use it only for good purposes,
and remember the giver when I am gone
away"
Santhal could not believe his ears, so
overjoyed was he at the news and he
| thought it all dream until he found him
self walking home with his rife under one
arm and his money under the other.
| He never forgot the giYer, nor was his
| grandfather ever in need of food again
| With the little sum which he obtained for
the elephants hide and tusks he started
little bank account of his own, which he
kept ready for any emergency He ranged
| through the jungles, and brought down
many big animals with his trusty rifle,
| which he soon began to handle with the
ease and accuracy Of a trained marksman.
| George Ethelbert Walsh in Yankee Blade.