The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-02

was terror stricken at the strange APP
partitions; for he saw by their looks
that they meant mischief and that
fight or resistance would be impossi-
BILE; so he began to shout "Murderl"
with all his might. Regardless of his
cries, however, the black gorilla
snatched the stick from his hand and
gave his back bitter taste of the
'stinger," whilst the red monster un-
harnessed the donkey. Then tying
one end of the halter round Johns
neck, and holding the other in his
hand, he set off at a swinging trot.
The black gorilla followed close be-
hind, now and then quickening
Johns pace by prod with the point
of the "stinger," and behind all came
the donkey, capering with delight,
and now and then, at the sight of his
masters contortions, giving whinny
which sounded very like litter. The
road which they took led them into
forest, which grew thicker and darker
as they advanced; but they held on
straight course through it, regar Hess
of all distractions, and, whenever
John relaxed his pace in dashing
through swamp or thicket, the
black gorilla used the "stinger" with
a wonderfully stimulating effect.
After a run of four hours they
reached wide river, and without
moments hesitation plunghd head
long into it. Poor John, who had
never in his life attempted to swim,
thought his end was now come, and
howled with fright; but his leader
kept firm hold of the halter, and
dragged him safely across to the OPP
posite bank. A number of horses,
dogs and donkeys galloped up to
meet them; and to Johns consterna-
ton, he found they were all gifted
with the faculty of speech, whilst he
himself had become dumb. Even
his own donkey, once SO patient and
silent, could talk as glibly as the
rest; and the topic of his discourse
was anything but pleasant to John,
for he described how, from the time
he was little helpless foal, he had
nothing but excessive work, scanty
food, kicks and curses; and, more
over, he called attention to the iron
pointed stick which had been the in
strument of his daily torture, and to
the scars which covered his body.
This produced such sensation
among the assembled animals that
the pathetic narrative was stopped by
murmur of indignation. So great
was the rage of the dogs, that they
made rush toward John, and would
have torn him to pieces if the gorillas
had not interfered.
When his companions had suffic
iently rested and refreshed them
selves, the rapid march was resumed;
and the crowd of animals accom-
panied them-some to show their
sympathy for the injured donkey,
and others to exult at the pitiable
sight of the contemplate master.
From the remarks John overheard he
fancied he was being led to the gal
lows, and that his donkey was to be
the executioner. 1t was a great re-
lief, therefore, when they stopped at
the entrance gate of a spacious court,
that the attendant crowd fell back,
and that no preparations were visible
for any such tragic event as he had
been anticipating. The most con-
spicuous object in sight was an enor-
nous white elephant, pacing to and
fro on grassplot in the center of
the court; and when the gate was
thrown open, the gorillas advanced
with their captive to the edge of the
grass plot, and the elephant came
forward to receive them.
I'VE have brought human brute
from the other side of the river" ex-
claimed the red gorilla, "that your
majesty may pass sentence upon him
for cruelty to animals. He has shame
fully maltreated faithful servant,
who is here to give evidence against
him."
"Let the servant state his com
plant" said the elephant. Thereup-
on the donkey again told his tale of
woe, exhibited his bruises, and babe
the gorilla hold up the terrible wea-
pom which had caused them.
Then the elephant, holding his
trunk erect in the air to signify his
anger, thus addressed the wretched
prisoner:
"Thou, to whom lordship has been
given over all the beasts of the fieldl
hast shown myself utterly unworthy
IF the poUer intrusted IN thee Thou