126 



The Wild Elephant. 



to untie the numerous knots ; he drew backwards to 

 lil)erate his fore-legs, then leaned forward to extricate 

 the hind ones, till every branch of the tall tree ([uivered 

 with his struggles. He screamed in anguish, with his 

 proboscis raised high in air, then falling on his side he 

 laid his head to the ground, first his cheek and then his 



brow, and pressed down his doubled-in trunk as though 

 he would force it into the earth ; then suddenly rising 

 he balanced himself on his forehead and fore-legs, hold- 

 ing his hind-feet fairly off the ground. This scene of 

 distress continued some hours, with occasional pauses of 

 apparent stupor, after which the struggle was from time 



