A WOtJLD-BE ESTATE PEOPEIETOR OF THE 
OLDEN TIME. 
move on. Says he, Quite ready to move back, but as 
for moving on forward, not one step — not for all the 
land in the country.” In vain his guides urged him: 
there were no more obstacles, a few minutes more sharp 
walking along a good path, and he would be into the bound- 
ary. His firm and decided reply was, “Not one step. 
I don’t care about the land. I T1 sell it at any price to 
any offerer, if I can get any one fool enough or foolish 
enough to buy it.” And thus it was, after all the trouble 
and expense he had been at, after reaching a point 
within a few minutes’ journey of his property, he 
turned back and went away without reaching or 
even seeing ik Partially carried and supported by his 
guides, the retreat w^as commenced. They had not 
gone far, when they came to a halt, set down their burden, 
and stood listening attentively. There was a cracking 
amongst the underwood close by, then a rush and 
a shrill trumpet sounded ! Mr Diddler’s guides cried 
out, “ An elephant 1” shook themselves clear of him, and 
ran off. Our friend at once recognized what was up ; 
he forg#t all about the stings and want of shoes; he 
ran also, ai d found be could actually run so well that 
he overtook his followers, who had slackened their 
pace ; he even passed th^m, without pulling up. They 
shouted after him to »t>p, but he would not, and just 
ran the faster, and so they all ran the one after the 
other. They were fast approaching the spot where the 
pony w^as tethered. The pony heard them ; as they 
came nearer he arched his neck, and pricked forward 
bis ears. Probably be thought, if ]3onies do think, that 
a whole herd of elephants was coming down upon 
him full charge, for just as they came in sight they 
were in time to see the animal make a plunge and a 
bolt, break his tether, and off at full speed in advance, 
snorting, his tail up and his head between his legs. 
Mr Diddler’s last breath was exhausted. Elephant, or 
none, he could run no more, and threw himself down 
under the tree, where the pony had been tied, as he 
cried out, ^‘How dreadful. How, or when, is all this 
to end?” His guides, coming up, had now another 
long talk, and consultation, during which Mr Diddler 
ffnished the ffask of spirits. The result of the consulta- 
tion was that they should all proceed; the pony 
would not run far, and it would save time and trouble 
in bringing him back after he was caught. Hut Mr 
Diddler declared he could not walk another step. Now 
whether it was designed, chance or reality, it is hard 
to say, but one of the guides suddenly said, ‘‘ There ’s 
the elephant ; don’t you hear the trees crackling close 
by V He jumped up, and ran off at full speed, overtook 
th^ quietly grazing on an open space, passed 
