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 belter 

 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- 



