Tom knew what a "rogue" elephant was. It is a beazt that
goes away from the herd, and lives solitary and alone, attacking
every living thing that comes in his way. It is a species of
masness, a disease which attacks elephants and sometimes passes
away. More often the afflicted creature gives battle to everything
and every animal he meets until he is killed or carried off by his
malady. It was sueh an elephant that Tom now saw, and he realized
what the hunter said about attacking one, as he saw the brute's mad
rushes.
"Well, if it's dangerous to attack him on the ground, we'll kill him
from up above," said the young inventor. "Here is the electric
rifle, Mr. Durban. I'll let you have the honor of getting those
tusks. My! But they're whoppers! Better use almost a full charge.
Don't take any chances on merely wounding him, and having him rush
off to the jungle."
"I won't," said the old hunter, and he adjusted the electric rifle
which Tom handed him.
As the great beast was tearing around, trumpeting shrilly and
breaking off trees Mr. Durban fired. The creature sank down,
instantly killed, and was out of his misery, for often it is great
pain which makes an otherwise peaceable elephant become a "rogue.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195