404 AN INTERLOPER. 



went not only high in the air, but spread out more like a fan the farther it reached, 

 often falling in spray and mist. 



She aimed at no particular one, but was impartial in her attentions, dispatching 

 the deluge wherever the best target offered. The others seemed to pay no atten- 

 tion to her, but, before long, the watchful Mr. Godkin directed Dick's notice to the 

 action of the bull and two of his family. 



"There's mischief afoot," he whispered; "they are hatching a plot against that 

 lady who is having such fine sport on the edge of the pond." 



The bull was gradually working his way out of the water, as though he had 

 had enough of it. He did not seem to observe the presence of the one that was 

 dousing him, but, all the same, he emerged from the pool at a point quite close to 

 her. 



The female gave him a blast at the moment he swung from the pond, sending a 

 deluge straight in his face, like the stream with which a steam fire engine breaks in 

 the windows of a burning building. Indeed, it was so terrific that the old fellow 

 threw up his trunk and head as if to protest. 



Two others kept edging closer to this female, but managed it so deftly that she 

 did not suspect anything was on foot. In fact, she was so happy that Dick after- 

 ward declared he saw the corners of her mouth draw up, just as if she was indulg- 

 ing in a grin over the discomfiture of the head of the household. 



But really my young friend must have been mistaken, though there can be nc 

 question that those huge animals find the keenest enjoyment in such sport. 



Suddenly, and without the least warning, the bull made a plunge along the edge 

 of the pool, which placed him in the rear of the young lady that was having such a 

 good time. At the same moment, the two that had been cautiously edging along 

 made a dash for her. 



She saw what was coming and tried to get away; but it was too late. In shoi*, 

 she was between two fires, and escape was out of the question. 



She had time to take only a couple of steps in the direction of the shore, when 

 the bull placed his head against her side and gave her such a prodigious push that 

 she went over, like a house tumbling off the wharf. Instantly the other two began 

 pelting her with water until it looked as if she must be drowned. She floundered 

 and struggled, while the bull, allowing her to get half way to her feet, regularly 

 pressed her over again. 



This seemed to be the very acme of enjoyment for all the elephants except the 

 victim, and there is reason to believe that she herself found a certain relish in 

 the rough bath to which she was being subjected. 



The water became muddy from its violent stirring, but that made no difference 

 to the participants, who tramped back and forth, lay down in it until only the tops 

 of their heads were visible, sent it spurting everywhere in fountains, and reveled in 

 delight 



From where the hunters carefully screened themselves in the jungle it would 

 have been the easiest matter in the world to kill one or two of the animals, but 



