sed, herded in the way they should go, and
escorted to the other side--all save one, which obstinately refused to
quit terra firma, and was accordingly fastened to a launch, in order to
be towed across; but the powerful and headstrong brute towed the launch
inland and, having utterly smashed it and destroyed several bamboo
sheds, effected its triumphal escape.

Meanwhile the fifty-nine were assembled at Dallah, patiently awaiting
their fate. A number of people had collected on the landing-stage,
close to the big ship, to watch her strange cargo being placed on
board. The lower hold of this huge four-master had been entirely
cleared, and into this receptacle the devoted elephants were lowered by
a gigantic steam crane. Meanwhile they were formed up behind a huge
shed in order that none should witness the scheme of departure, or the
undignified transfer of its companions. A selected victim was coaxed,
flattered, caressed, and then marched proudly down the pier between two
deceitful and majestic tuskers, a pair of stern old gentlemen that
would stand no nonsense; soothed and bribed by a generous supply of
sugar-cane, the unsuspicious traveller was halted directly under the
crane; a belly-band encircled his enormous waist, and to this was
attached a hook; then, at a given signal, the astonished animal was
suddenly hoisted into the air. And what a sight! Trunk waving madly,
legs wildly reaching for foothold, a helpless and ridiculous monster,
endeavouring to clutch the rigging. Presently the frantic passenger
was slowly lowered to the hold, where his own beloved mahout and a pile
of luscious lucerne awaited his agitated arrival.

Lookers-on found the spectacle of a helpless elephant struggling in
mid-air excessively amusing, and the immediate neighbourhood of the
ship was crowded. Here were the Pomeroys, Maitlands, Morgans, Puffles,
Mrs. Gregory, Miss Leigh, and numbers of others, including Shafto, who,
much interested in this novel sight, had taken several snapshots. Just
as he snapped the last elephant, he felt the sharp jerk of a rope round
his ankles, and in another second was swept into the racing Irrawaddy.

As the water surged over his head, the sharp shock and the submersion
momentarily took away his breath. Shafto was a strong swimmer, but the
current was tremendous and not to be denied; it carried him right out
into the middle of the river, spinning him round and round like a leaf
in a torrent. He real