The End 175 



by the shouts of the populace, by the reports of 

 guns and explosions of fireworks, all alike 

 naturally repugnant to him. He had carefully 

 picked his way through the crowd, harming 

 none ; lightly with his trunk setting aside those 

 who intruded in his path ; and now, another 

 day of painful duty passed, he had been relieved 

 of his load, had poured 

 water on his heated 

 body and cooled himself 

 in the evaporation of 

 the evening breeze ; he 

 had disposed of his 

 rations and stood at rest watching his mahout, 

 who in a neighbouring hut was preparing his 

 evening meal. 



The sun set and soon the moon was shining 

 over the plain ; one by one the lights were 

 extinguished and the noise from the bazaar 

 ceased. At such times one could comprehend 

 the dreamy attitude of this huge beast; doubt- 

 less his memory turned to similar glorious 

 nights passed in the peace of the forest, when 

 absolute contentment made for happiness ; or to 



