The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-10-29
T1Erxo Al lH3pHAuT.

l,y Al elephant But "tresiux = sls
phsnt" il = very diHsrest msttes.
Away ia tho psninsula Of Maiay, in tt
south Of the Kingdom Of siam, in tt
midst Of vast ttDpiaal jusgh, ther
4stands~s grsatssons bunealow. Il + II
homo Of . wealthy trader and smal
army Of native servants who are CONSTANT,
hunting elephants. While was hi
guest he arranged for hunt in which b
was to take part himself, while was Z
enjoy reserved seat upon the branch 9
An enormous tree and watch tho sport.
We made dsys march through TIL
densely tangled Jungle, rested for tn
night in bark tents and started early II
the morning with company of Malay
along the bank Of ariver, where the for
eat was more open and the trees larger.
In time We came upon four dusky
forms ont in the water, rolling about
snortisg. whistling and squirting watel
over each other.
They're only females and babies, said
the II ader. I'VE would not touch one Of
them for the world. But got up into THU
tree here. This is = good one. There'll
be an old tusker about somewhere, and
you shall see some fine sport"
While l settled myself In . place Of
safety he Invested himself of his clothing
aud stood in strong sandals, brown tights
and small turban, armed with short
knife.
had not waited long when series Of
sharp cries sounded from the trader and
the Malays, succeeded BY the hoarse,
shrill whistle of an angry elephant and .
nerce crashing through the distant under
growth.
A moment later through the branches
could see the head of great tusker
elephant, with his trunk thrown high in
the air, slashing the branches out Of his
way as he dashed one way and another,
constantly coming nearer and nearer.
The very ground seemed to shake
under him a. he hurled his enormous
body this way and that, growing more
and more furions - he vainly tried to
reach something lodging about in the
underground.
Then to my horror, ! discovered my
friend not Is feet away from that huge
trunk as it few through the air in savage
attempts to strike him.
For an instant was paralyzed with
fear. The next | threw my rife to my
shoulder, waiting only an instant to insure
my aim, when, with hearty laugh,
waving his hand, the trader shouted:
Don't fire! Keep your balance, and
we'll have him freed in half minute"
The trunk came flying through the air
with furious whirl and passed within 10
feet of him as he lodged.
My blood ran cold. sprang to my feet
and clutched the branch above nv head
IS they made straight dash for the tree
beneath me, the elephant, fairly furious,
reaching within five feet Of my friend
He was leaping forward, directly for the
trunk of the tree. He could never climb
it before that giant would be upon him.
One leap more must be his last! What
He touched the massive tree with his ex-
tended hands and like fash swung him
celf about it. The next instant, with a
crash which almost sent me from nv
perch, the furious beast banged, head first,
against the gnarled trunk and stood stock |
still for an instant, while the trader on
the other side reared With laughter, gas
ping;
"That was a good straight one, wasn't
itl"
2 Then followed the most magnificent
spectacle Of towering rage which l have
seen, as the elephant began to hurl his
huge body about that tree, among the
twisted roots, lashing it with his trunk,
gouging it with his tusks and exasperat-
ing himself more and more in vain at
tempt to reach the quick and muscular
trader.
At last, with sullen grunt, be settled
himself to do away with the tree alto.
CHER. He braced his head against the
trunk and began to push till the great
tree shook and vibrated.
That was the signal for the Malays,
who stood at respectful distances, and
long. strong cords, with weights attached,
same flying through the air. They twist
ed about his legs, his neck, his body, till
in no time be was completely tangled.
and turning to extricate himself, he tum-
hled, fell, vas pulled over, helpless, upon
his back, and in twinkl,ng each leg
was drawn in An independent direction
md fastened BY long rope to the nearest
tsse. It was dash from tho sublime to
the ridiculous, for = moro absurd picture
never saw than that furious tusker.
'prawied helplessly upon his back, his
legs sticking "a n the air cabled to ~
many trees. M
THAT'S what We call treeina an ele
phant," said the trader, still laughing
md painting.
"But iss't it daagerousi Were you