in THE ELEPHANT 55 



the animal's trunk, and kept repeating the apparently cruel thrusts 

 until at length it stopped. Several men now arrived with the 

 coupling chains, which were at length with difficulty adjusted, and 

 the elephant's fore legs were shackled together. It was curious to 

 observe the dexterous manner in which it resisted this operation, 

 and had it not been for the dread of the spear I much doubt 

 whether it could have been accomplished. 



This was the first time that I had experienced a runaway 

 elephant, but I soon found that both my steeds were equally 

 untrustworthy. A few weeks after this event we had completed 

 the morning's march and found the camp already prepared for our 

 arrival, at a place called Kassli, which is a central depot for rail- 

 way sleepers as they are received from the native contractors. 

 These were carefully piled iu squares of about twenty each, and 

 covered a considerable area of ground at intervals. A large ox 

 had died that morning, and as it was within 50 yards of the tent 

 it was necessary to remove it ; the vultures were already crowded 

 in the surrounding trees waiting for its decomposition. As usual, 

 none of the natives would defile themselves by touching the dead 

 body. I accordingly gave orders that one of the elephants should 

 drag it about a mile down wind away from the camp. Lord Mayo 

 was brought to the spot, and the sweeper, being of a low caste, 

 attached a very thick rope to the hind legs of the ox ; the other 

 end being made fast to the elephant's pad in such a manner as to 

 torm traces. The elephant did not exhibit the slightest interest 

 in the proceeding, and everything was completed, the body of the 

 ox being about six or seven yards behind. 



No sooner did Lord Mayo move forward in obedience to'the 

 mahout's command, and feel the tug of the weight attached, than 

 he started off in a panic at a tremendous pace, dragging the body 

 through the lanes between the piles of sleepers, upsetting them, 

 and sending them flying in all directions, as the dead ox caught 

 against the corners ; and, helter-skelter, he made for the nearest 

 jungle about 300 yards distant. Fortunately some wood-cutters 

 were there, who yelled and screamed to turn him back ; but 

 although this had the effect of driving him from the forest, he now 

 started over the plain down hill, dragging the heavy ox behind as 

 though it had been a rabbit, and going at such a pace that none 

 oi the natives could overtake him, although by this time at least 

 twenty men were in full pursuit. 



The scene was intensely ridiculous, and the whole village turned 

 out to enjoy the fun of a runaway elephant with a dead ox bound- 

 ing over the inequalities of the ground ; no doubt Lord Mayo 



