The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-01-30

brought about strange condition o.
things, which all at once gave me
new occupation not down on the pro
gramme when I went to the island.
| The surveys I had been making
necessitated the building of a bridge,
and I ran the lines and took the level,
after which l asked if there were any
bridge builders in the country.
"Ahmed builds the bridges" said
Mr.. franklin with a smile. "That is
ono 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.
tons watched the cutting of the
timbers-logs eighteen feet long and
twelve inches thick-and the next day
Selim and I were there with Ahmed
ready to begin work.
Selim was in on ugly humor to begin
! with, and he had been threatening the
elephant from tho time wo 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 q hook as we'll
as sharp prod, and the animal had
groaned like human being under the
punishment. I could not hold my
peace.
"It does seem to me, Selim," said,
shat Ahmed would do his work bet
tor if you would not be SO severe with
him."
Gone has TO be severe with these
beesta,' no returned, and without
deigning any further reply he set tho
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 I watched him
coiling bis trunk about the logs, lift
ing them md holding Thorn steady
with mo=th and trunk While he walked
away to the spot where the logs wero
r2edod. Once there. he waited for in
strUctiOns before he lowered the
weight, and IS soon as the position
was indicated he carefully and slowly
dropped the timber into the exact
place demanded. If it swung around
q 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 we're
all, what intelligence it showed.
IS time went on the keepers irrita.
bility increased, and his voice rose
and became angrier. He sworo at tho
animal and used his hook until All.
med's ear WAS bleeding; and the hugo
animal absolutely stood and tremblel,
like frightened child. This made
Selim furious, and he began to assault
him in the most cruel manner with the
steel prod.
The sightswas more than I could en-
dure. I sprung down the bank and
snatched the weapon from his hands. !
"What do you mean ?"1 cried, holly. |
"You shall not treat the creature so
cruelty"
| hsd taken him utterly by sur
prise, and he only stared at me stupidity
for moment; but ali at once his face |
grew white with fury, and he threw
himself upon me and wrenchea tho
prod away. I was but stripping and
10 was . man Of unusual strength. He
raised the weapon over his head with
both hands and advanced upon nc
with murder in his eyes.
Twas unarmea, and ii I had been
armed it would have proited me lit
lie. Many things dashed before my
eyes in the brief moments when
slowly retreatad, with thst colorless
lace before me. We were long way
rom the house, no help was near, end
was about to be murdered by vii
ainous servant, WHOM no one would
suspect OF the deed.
1 had stepped backward, feeling be-
lind me for treo which / might use
IS a shelter and so gain little time;
out ell at once l struck my foot
against q stone and went down. In an
instant Selim WAS over me, his cruel
ace bent down and the steel-pointel
Weapon held against ny throat.
We had both forgotten tho elephant.
)ne sees q great deal at such time,
md while lay there with the weapon
It my throat and death but moment
way I saw the hugo bulk rushing
owsrd US. All, then Ahmed would
ill me instead Of Selin, I thought,
md ! felt grim joy at the mans dis.
appointment; and them
Then I saw something Irvine around
'elim 8 body and heard him give q