A Change of Masters 105 



that the wisdom of shortening Maula Bux's 

 tusks became apparent. He was told to ad- 

 vance upon the stubborn elephants, and, when 

 within three or four paces, to charge. His 

 lowered forehead caught the first waverer full 



in the stern, and she pitched headlong into 

 the water, whence return was barred by 

 threatening tusks. The choice now lay be- 

 tween being butted into deep water or entering 

 it voluntarily, and the haste with which a 

 decision was taken as the big tusker approached 

 the next victim was almost ludicrous. 



Last of all, Maula Bux himself entered the 

 stream. There was some eight feet of strong- 

 swirling water around him ere he lost his foot- 

 hold, then, with powerful strokes he made his 

 way across, standing in the shallows, curling 



