358 THE TIGER-HUNTERS. 



One of the natives was trotting by the roadside, looking attentively ahead, for 

 they were nearing the spot where it was wise to increase their vigilance, when the 

 beast moved up behind and seized him around the waist. 



The terrified fellow began yelling and kicking with might and main, while Jo 

 banged his spear on the head of the creature and ordered her to release the man at 

 once ; but the blows did not amount to anything, and the elephant was bound to 

 have her fun. 



She raised the native as high in the air as she could, his head pointing toward 

 the ground and his feet toward the sky. No wonder he was frightened, and his 

 legs beat the air like a couple of drumsticks, while he swung his arms and called 

 out to Jo to save him from death. 



Holding her victim thus for a few seconds, the female lowered him as gently as 

 a feather, and deposited him on his feet again, without a hair of his head being 

 harmed. Then she resumed her advance as seriously as though she had never 

 thought of molesting any one in the world. 



Both Mr. Godkin and Dick laughed, for the incident was most amusing. 



" I wonder whether she will handle the tiger in that style if she gets the chance ? " 

 said the lad. 



" No fear of that, for the tiger will not permit it ; but she is in capital spirits 

 this morning, and is bound to have her fun in spite of Jo and his spear-thrusts. 

 However, there is the hut on one side and the jungle on the other, and the time for 

 serious business has arrived." 



