THE RHINOCEROS 



mass. Here then was a most awkward accident under 

 unexpected and novel circumstances, putting Mr. Bartlett's 

 readiness of action to the test. My friend, however, with 

 his usual courage, quickness, and readiness of resource, 

 was quite equal to the occasion. He immediately let the 

 water off the pond by knocking away a large plug which 

 he has thoughtfully fixed instead of a tap, which is liable 

 to get out of order. In the meantime the poor rhinoceros 

 was in great danger of drowning, as the pond is 9 ft. deep, 

 so while the pond was running off, Mr. Bartlett, losing 

 no time, sent for all the available keepers and a long and 

 strong rope ; barrow-loads of gravel were at the same time 

 strewed on the sloping sides of the pond, to give the ex- 

 hausted animal a foothold. The rope was then tossed 

 round the haunches of the rhinoceros, like the kicking- 

 strap of a horse in harness, and twenty-six men, one-half 

 at one end of the rope and the other half at the other, 

 pulled hard on the rhinoceros, so that in her straggles to 

 get up the bank she would not only be supported but 

 pulled forcibly forwards. After much hauling on the part 

 of the men and much plunging on the slippery bank of 

 the pond, the rhinoceros was at last landed on terra firma. 

 The salvors of this valuable living property had then to 

 look out for themselves. Mr. Bartlett had anticipated 

 this, for he had left the sliding gate of the enclosure open 

 just wide enough to let out one man at a time, but not a 

 rhinoceros. An absurd scene then took place, everybody 

 rushed to the gate, but the first of the fugitives from the 

 rhinoceros, naturally stout, and possibly stouter at Christ- 

 mas time than usual, jammed fast in the open gate, so 

 that the other twenty-five men were in the paddock with 

 the rhinoceros. The poor frightened and half-frozen beast 

 luckily behaved very well ; she did not rush after the men, 

 but stood still, pricked her ears and snorted, giving the 



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