Ear/y Experiences 



33 



a valuable servant. When young the elephant, 



after a day's work, was turned loose in a 



forest with a heavy iron chain 



attached to one leg, whereby 



his movements left a trail 



easily followed by his owner. 



As his labour and time became 



more valuable, food of the 



cheapest would be brought to 



him, and when older he would 



probably be given a weekly ration of wheaten 



cakes, of sugar or butter to assist in appeasing 



his growing appetite. 



Thus it was that one mornino- before the 



sudden dawn had sprung into the sky, at the 



stillest hour, when man is yet asleep, and when 



animals are seeking their rest, the village gate 



was opened, and a tiny party of two elephants 



and four men passed out into the dimness of 



the forest and disappeared from sight. On the 



narrow path the feet of the elephants made 



no sound ; from time to time in passing under 



the arched bamboos a stem was struck and 



instantly responded with a shower of dew, 

 c 



