162 ELEPHANT MUKNA. 



the same dart at me to lay hold of me. Being amongst 

 a lawless people, I was frequently attacked by them in 

 great numbers in travelling through the country ; then 

 my elephant stood my friend. When hemmed in on all 

 sides, I placed Mukna, whom I rode, at the head of the 

 other elephants, and bore down on the leader of the 

 savages. The elephants took a pleasure in rushing on 

 them in all their fury, with tails up and trumpet (pro- 

 boscis) sounding. Mukna universally carried me helter 

 skelter into their midst, and kept up pursuit. Once, about 

 150 men surrounded my elephants ; I had six ; they 

 were all captured but Mukna, on whom I was riding 

 some distance in advance. I had no arms but a sword, 

 and was in some doubt what to do ; whether to run for 

 it or make an attack. However, I was not long con- 

 sidering the matter ; one of the savages hurt the com- 

 panion elephant of Mukna, and made it sound its trumpet ; 

 when Mukna rushed to the charge, regardless of rider or 

 driver. The pikes of the attacking party I beat aside 

 with my sword, and managed to reach the other elephants. 

 Mukna made a rush, and scattered the captors of his 

 companion ; and with the two elephants I then faced the 

 whole party, soon recovered the others, and the people 

 were scattered everywhere. One of them gave Mukna a 

 stab on the side ; it made him trumpet, and I feared he 

 was severely wounded. I gave chase to the man, feeling 

 every resolve to punish him if I could get at him. He 

 escaped into the village and into one of the houses. 

 Mukna soon laid hold of the wood frame work, and shook 

 it down ; and one by one, as the elephants arrived, they 

 commenced at the same work, until the whole village was 

 destroyed. At last, through the aid of Mukna, I sue- 



