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 struggles 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 tcroxi 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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