Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-01-07

/ ACCO6o4bAtO0 VIZ
and / ran the lines and took the level,
after which / asked if there were any
bridge builders in the country.
"Ahmed builds the bridges" said
MIR. Franklin with a smile. "That is
one part of his work you have never
seen, have you? Selim understands
the work thoroughly, and it is really
wonderful to see the elephant carry
ont his keepers orders. The men will
cut the timbers tomorrow, and then
you will oversee the work and see that
the proper level is kept"
In accordance with these instruc-
lions l watched the cutting OF the
timbers-logs eighteen feet long and
twelve inches thick-and the next day
Selim and l were there with Ahmed
| ready to begin work.
Selim was in an ugly humor to begin
with, and he had been threatening the
elephant from the time we left the
| house, so that the great creature was
becoming nervous and restless before
the work had begun. More than once,
too, Selim had used his steel-shod
weapon, which carried a hook as well
as a sharp prod, and the animal had
groaned like a human beng under the
punishment. I could not hold my
peace.
at does seem to me, Selim,"I said,
"that Ahmed would do his work bet
ter if you would not be SO severe with
him."
cone has TO be severe with these
beasta," he returned, and without
deigning any further reply he set the
hugo creature at work lifting the
heavy timbers and carrying them to
their place at the stream.
The terrible strength of the ele-
plant frightened me as l watched him
coiling his trunk about the logs, lift
ing them and holding them steady
with mouth and trunk while he walked
away to the spot where the logs were
needed. Once there, he waited for in
structions before he lowered the
weight, and as soon as the position
was indicated he carefully and slowly
dropped the timber into the exact
place demanded. If it swung around
a little that it was out of place he
rolled it with trunk and head until it
lay where he wanted il and was per-
fectly firm. 1t seemed incredible that
this was not the work of reason, and
that it was merely the result OF thor
ough training; but ven ii this were
all, what intelligence it showed.
As time went on the keepers irrita.
bility increased, and his voice rose
and became angrier. He swore at the
animal and used his hook until All
med's ear was bleeding; and the huge
animal absolutely stood and tremble1,
like a frightened child. This made
Selim furious, and he began to assault
him in the most cruel manner with the
steel prod.
The sightIwas more than / could en-
/ sprung down the bank and
snatched the weapon from his hands.
"What do you mean? "I cried, holly.
"You shall not treat the creature so
cruelty"
l had taken him utterly by ur-
prise, and he only stared at me stupidity
for a moment; but all at once his face
grew white with fury, and he threw
himself upon me and wrenched the
prod away. l was but a stripping and
be was a man Of unusual strength. He
the weapon oyer his head with
both hands and advanced upon mo
with murder in his eyes.
was unarmed, and if / had been
armed it would have proited me lit
Tie. Many things flashed before my
eyes in the brief moments when |
retreated, with that colorless
lace before me. We were a long way
the house, no help was near, and
[ was about to be murdered by a vii
ainous servant, whom no one would
suspect of the deed.
l had stepped backward, feeling be-
mind me for a tree which I might use
Is a shelter and so gain a little time;
put all at once l struck my foot
against a stone and went down. In an
Instant Selim was over me, his cruel
ace bent down and the steel-pointed
Weapon held against my throat.
We had both forgotten the elephant. =
)ne sees a great deal at such a time,
md while | lay there with the weapon
It my throat and death but a moment
way l saw the huge bulk rushing
oward us. All, then Ahmed would
ill me instead of Selim, I thought,
md 1 felt q grim Joy at the mans DIS
appointment and then
Then ] saw something Irvine around J
s body and heard him give a
ny OF agony and fear as Ahmed swung
linn aloft. Round and round he went,
evolving in the air as though he we're
feather blown about in an eddy of
Wind. Ahmed was preparing to dash
to death on the rocks.
/ was on my feet as soon as ! could
hink and in the midst of mortal fear
# the huge animal l still had presence
# mind enough to think that l might
aim him. I spoke to him, and the
apid whirling of the body slackened.
laid my hand on the side of his head
nd patted the quIvering trunk, and it
lowly uncoiled and dropped Selim to
he ground.
Ibid not dare to look after him, for /