Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-01-21


new occupation not down on the pro-
gramme when went to the island.
The surveys I had been making ne
cessitated the building of bridge, and
l ran the lines and took the level, after
which l asked if there were any bridge
builders in the country.
Ahmed build, the bridges" said
Mr.. Franklin with smile. That il
one part of hi, work you have never
seen, have you? Selim understands
the work thoroughly, and it is really
wonderful to see the elephant carry
out 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-
tions 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 human being under the
punishment. I could not hold my
peace.
at does seem to me, Selim, said,
"that Ahmed would do his work bet
ter if you would not be so severe with
him"
Zone has to be severe with these
beasts" he returned, and without
deigning any further reply he set the
huge creature at work lifting the
heavy timbers and carrying them to
their place at the stream.
The terrible strength Of the ele-
pbant frightened me as | 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
little that it was out Of place he
rolled it with trunk and head until it
lay where he wanted it 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 even if 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 trembled,
like frightened child. This made
Seljm furious, and he began to assault
him in the most cruel manner with the
steel prod.
Ihe sight was more than l could en-
dure. sprung down the bank and
snatched the weapon from his hands.
"What do you mean?' cried, hotly'
You shall not treat the creature so
cruelty"
l had taken him utterly by surprise,
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. was but STRIPPING and
he was a man of unusual strength. He
raised the weapon over his head with
both hands and advanced upon me
with murder in his eyes.
I was unarmed, and if l had been
armed it would have profted me lit
tie. Many things flashed before my
eyes in the brief moments when l
slowly retreated, with that colorless
face before me. We were long way
from the house, no help was near, and
was about to be murdered by vii
famous servant, whom no one would
suspect of the deed
I had stepped backward, feeling be-
hind me for tree which might use
as shelter and so gain little time;
but all at once l struck my foot against
a stone and went down. In an in
slant Selim was over me, his cruel
face bent down and the steel-pointed
weapon held against my throat.
We had both forgotten the elephant.
One sees a great deal at such time,