The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-01-26

~@ ~~SS@ S%~SAS @@AC @@S" 49,
cut the timbers to morrow, and then
you will overseer the work and see
that the proper level is kept"
In accordance with these instructions
1 watched the cutting OF the timbere-
logs eighteen feet long and twelve
inches thick-and the next day Selim
and I we're there with Ahmed ready to
begin work.
S9lim 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 we'll
as a sharp prod, and the animal had
grOaned like q human being under the
punishment. I could moi hold my
peace.
1T does seem to me, SeIim," | said,
that Ahmed would do his work bet
ter if you would not be so severe with
him"
"One 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
tlmbers and carrying them to their
place at the stream.
The terrible strength of the elephant
frightened me as I watched him coil
ing his trunk about the logs, lifting
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 Yves
indicated he carefully and slowly
dropped the timber into the exact place
denoted. If it swung around q little go
that it was out of place, he rolled it
with trunk and head until it lay where
he wanted it and was perfectly firm.
1t seemed incredible that this was not
the work Of reason, and that it was
merely the result of thorough training
but even if this were all. what intel
ligence it showed.
As time went on the keepers irrita-
bjlity increased, and his voice rose
and became angrier. He swore at the
animal and used his hook until Ahmed's
ear was bleeding, and the huge AMI,
NAL absolutely stood and trembled,
like a frightened child. This made
Selim furious,-and he began to assault
him in the most cruel manner with the
steel prod.
Toe sight was more than I could en-
dure. l sprang down the bank and
snatched the weapon from his hands.
What do you mean2" I cried, holly ;
you shall lot 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 mis- face grew
white with fury, and he threw himself
upon me and wrenched the prod away.
| was but a 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.
l was unarmed, and if l had been
armed it would hove profted me little.
Many things flashed before my eyes in
the brief moments when l slowly re
treated, with that ~colOrless face before
me. We were a long way from the
house; no help was near, and | was
about to be murdered by a viliainous
servant, whom no one would suspect
of the deed.
had stepped backward, feeling be-
hind me for a tree which [ might use
as a shelter and so gain q little time;
but all at once I struck my foot against
a stone and went down. In an instant
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 a time,
and while l lay there with the weapon
at my throat and death but a moment
away l saw the huge bulk rushing to-
ward US. All! then Ahmed would
kill me instead of Selim, I thought,
and I felt a grim JOY at the mans dis
appointment; and then
Then l saw something Irvine around
Selim's body and heard him give a
cry of agony and fear as Ahmed
swung him aloft. Round and round
he went, revolving in the cir as though
he we're a feather blown about in an
eddy of wind. Ahmed was preparing