104 The Life of an Elephant 



It ended one day on the banks of a broad 

 river, where a strong stream flowed some 

 hundred of yards in width through a broad 

 expanse of sand which marked the limit of 

 the summer floods. Here the baggage was 

 loaded into boats which crossed amid the 

 shouting of the oarsmen, while the elephants 

 first waded and then swam to the opposite 

 shore. To some of these animals the occasion 

 was one of joyful play. Their naked drivers 

 stood erect, supporting themselves by a rope 

 round the neck of the elephant. These reared 

 high out of the water and wallowed back 

 into the depths, disappearing from view like 

 gigantic porpoises ; then returning to the sur- 

 face, blowing out the air from curved trunks, 

 screaming to each other in gaiety of heart, 

 neglectful of the cries and abuse of the mahouts. 



Others there were who feared to enter the 

 current, standing with feet firmly set to the 

 sand, refusing to move in spite of entreaties 

 and chastisement. To such mutineers stronger 

 persuasion was necessary ; their drivers dis- 

 mounted and stood by them, and then it was 



