Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-14

the station. We took with us an elephant to
carry small tent and provisions, as there
was nothing to be had at our destination, and
we would have to depend chiefly on our
guns.
Ny friend, Frank Earle, and / made up
our minds to have real good time, and we
went on our way rejoicing. ,.-...:,
In due course we reached our destina,r.ino,hi, y,
and pitched our tents close to iovey frore h.r,e
spring, which appeared bubbling out from
full shade of which afforded us protection
during the heat of the day.
1t was late at night when we arrived, nav
ing been delayed for some time at river We
had to cross, which was too deep to foro: anu
obliged us to unload and swim the animals
across, while Earle and crossed IN canoe
After seeing the elephant and our ponies
made comfortable for the night, and iarge
fires lighted to keep off any wild beasts 1here
might be about, we had our supper, ana re-
tired with the intention of rising very early i!
to commence our campaign against the WIN Mwiiu
ducks, widgeon and teal, with when a cha'h
of small lakes hard by were tavorite re.
sort, and which was one great lnducemeh'
for our visit.
Early, before daybreak, we were up, and
out, mounted on old Menoo, our elephant,
steadiest of her race, and soon were lying
in wait on the margin Of the lake, longing a1,ps
for the dawn of day, that we might com,
mence our attack on the birds; we couli
hear them calling plainly, and they appeareo
to be in great numbers.
Soon the daylight appeared, and we e9uiu ~
see the surface Of the lake, which seemed 70
be literally alive with myriads Oh "a'e'
fowl ,d
We killed considerable number ana
wounded MANY more several falling INTO tne
lake, where they, if let alone, Wouid htle Wl
amongst the weeds and die miserapie' ILL
gering death.
Menoo's driver, Wuzeer Khan. came o11s,, up Up
and volunteered to take us on MS elephan'
into the lake and capture the birds.
Earle and l assented, and were soon moune-
ed on Menoo who gravely entered the water
having first of all little speech MADE TO ne5
by her driver, in which he praised her goou
qualities, and told her if she did well the Sd
hibs would give her plenty of sugar-cane.
Menoo looked as if she understood, ana
went about her work in business ike way:
We had gone halfway down one tide OF
the lake, the water being shallow, parey
above the elephants knees and recovered
half-dozen birds; but now it began to deepen
suddenly, and the mahout turned Menoo
round, and began to wade across to the other
side.
The surface of the lake was covered with
a mass of aquatic plants and weeds sueh
as these birds love. to feed on, through
which Menoo laboriously plowed her way,
with here and there patches of clear water.
We had nearly reached the other side,
when Earle saw splendid specimen OF a
kingfsher on small tree on the bank, well
within range. y
"I must have that bird for my collection,
said he; and, stopping Menoo, turned her
sideways to the bank, took aim, and hred at
the bird.
How it happened 1 don't know. sup
nose She stood on something which gave way
beneath her weight but Menoo's hind-quars
tiers suddenly sank below water, and poor
Earle was preciptated, gun and all, over
her tail into the lake, while L would have
followed him but for clutching hold OF tie
| had noticed, on the surface of a large
match of clear water at some distance from
us. what appeared to me to be floating logs
AT the noise of the splash caused by Earle 8
fall, these logs became instinct with life,
and began to move in our direction.
The mahout perceived them also, and say
ing to me, "Mugger sahib' alligator, sir(,
called out to Earle to give him his hand,
turning his elephant round at the same time,
and showing her the alligators. which were
now making toward US.
Earle had disappeared for the moment
under the water, being engaged in feeling
for his gun, which he had dropped in his
fall; but he now appeared, and Menoo dex-
terously seized him round the waist with her
trunk and lifted him out of the water, while
the mahout and l hauled him on to her back.
Menoo then commenced to trumpet, and
splashed boldly toward the alligators, which
by this time were nearing us rapidly, while
| let drive at the nearest with my rifle.
Like the cowardly creatures they are, they
suddenly stopped and disappeared. And we
on our part, did not delay in regaining terra