that his
companion was forced to mount the wheel in his stead, but crying and
wagging his tail, he made a sign for those in attendance to follow him. He
immediately conducted them to a garret, where he dislodged the idle dog,
and killed him immediately."

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE XXXIX.

Long Lost Found Again.

A female elephant belonging to a gentleman at Calcutta broke loose from
her keeper, and was lost in the woods. The excuses which the keeper made
were not admitted. It was supposed that he had sold the elephant; his wife
and family therefore were sold for slaves, and he was himself condemned to
work upon the roads. About twelve years after, this man was ordered into
the country to assist in catching wild elephants. The keeper fancied he
saw his long-lost elephant in a group that was before them. He was
determined to go up to it; nor could the strongest representations of the
danger dissuade him from his purpose. When he approached the creature, she
knew him, and giving him three salutes, by waving her trunk in the air,
knelt down and received him on her back. She afterwards assisted in
securing the other elephants, and likewise brought her three young ones.
The keeper recovered his character; and, as a recompense for his
sufferings and intrepidity, had an annuity settled on him for life. This
elephant was afterwards in the possession of Governor Hastings.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE XL.

Ostrich Riding.

A gentleman tells how, during the time of his residence at Podor, a French
factory on the banks of the river Niger, there were two ostriches, though
young, of gigantic size, which afforded him a very remarkable sight. "They
were," he says, "so tame, that two little blacks mounted both together on
the back of the largest. No sooner did he feel their weight, than he began
to run as fast as possible, and carried them several times round the
village, as it was impossible to stop him otherwise than by obstructing
the passage. This sight pleased me so much, that I wished it to be
repeated, and to try their strength, directed a full-grown negro to mount
the smallest, and two others the largest. This burthen did not seem at all
disproportionate to their strength. At first they went at a tolerably
sharp trot, but when they became heated a little, they expanded their
wings as though to catch the wind, and moved with such fleetness, that
they scarcely seemed to touch the ground. Most people have, a