A BEATING ELEPHANT GOES "MUST' 



resumed our journey, marching in an extended line, with 

 one " howdah " in the centre and one on either flank. 



This formation had been adopted as our route lying 

 through some jungle, it was hoped we might pick up some- 

 thing on the way a deer, perhaps, or smaller game, such 

 as partridge or pea-fowl, for the pot. 



We had not proceeded far, however, when one of the 

 beating elephants a large tusker that had been behaving 

 somewhat strangely in the recent scuffle now exhibited 

 marked symptoms of being " must " (mad), and was 

 accordingly removed to one end of the line. 



Shortly after this little episode we came to a large 

 patch of high grass jungle, and entering it, had almost 

 reached the end when suddenly a family of three tigers were 

 put up. The country beyond was open, with no other cover 

 for some distance, and the tigers, unwilling to face this open, 

 yet afraid of breaking back through the line of elephants, 

 were fairly in a fix, and, losing their heads, began rushing 

 backwards and forwards in front of the line. 



The elephants, utterly demoralized by their extra- 

 ordinary behaviour, were soon in a state of more or less 

 bewilderment which, in the case of the " must " tusker, 

 already disposed to be troublesome, quickly developed into 

 one of actual frenzy, ending in its becoming altogether beyond 

 control, and in this extremely dangerous condition of mind, 

 it rushed about the jungle, practically at large and free to do 

 any mischief its temporarily diseased brain might suggest. 



Coming suddenly upon the tusker carrying a howdah, it 

 charged it furiously. Fortunately the " mahout " of the 

 latter kept his head, and, with a coolness and promptitude 

 born of his dangerous calling, turned his elephant round 

 and made for the open, followed by the maddened brute, 

 now fairly screaming with rage. 



Luckily for those in the " howdah," something diverted 

 its attention just as it had reached its intended victim, 

 and stopping suddenly, it turned and, re-entering the grass, 

 came face to face with one of the smaller beating elephants. 

 The latter turned to run, but before it could get round 

 the other charged home, and, catching it broadside on, 

 rolled it completely over and butted at it three or four 

 times. Then, placing its tusks under the side of the 



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