ing an excellent view of this
unexpected episode in the procession, had the satisfaction of seeing the
principal actor trotting away the whole length of the playground wall,
his hind-quarters looking more than ever like an enormous pair of
ill-made, ill-fitting trousers.

"Will he catch them--overtake any of them?" cried Glyn, as the elephant
passed the spot where he and Singh were watching the proceedings, the
latter with his dark eyes glittering and nostrils quivering, as the
whole business brought back something he had once seen in his native
state.

But as he spoke the loud shouting of the frightened crowd tearing away
down the road suddenly ceased, as those nearest became conscious of the
fact that their pursuit by the great beast had ceased.

Soon after passing the end of the Doctor's wall, the elephant, now fully
at liberty, found itself by the tall, well-clipped mingled
hawthorn-and-privet hedge that enclosed the lawn-like, verdant
cricket-field, at the far side of which there was a grand row of old
elms which brought back to the escaped animal memories of Indian forests
and pendant boughs covered with fresh green leaves that could be torn
down and eaten; and, stopping short in the rapid pace which it had
pursued, swinging its massive head from side to side, it once more
turned itself "half-right," as if upon a pivot, stared at the tall green
hedge for a few moments, and then, curling its trunk right backwards
over its neck, it uttered another trumpeting note which was no longer
angry, but sounded cracked and partook of the nature of a squeak. Then
it did not charge the hedge, but just walked through it; and as soon as
its great circular feet began to feel the soft, yielding grass into
which they sank, for the ground was moist, the great brute began to
twitch its tail in the most absurd way, squeak with delight, and indulge
in the most clumsily ridiculous gambol ever executed by monster ten feet
high.

It was for all the world such a dance, magnified, as a fat, chubby
little Shetland pony would display when, freed from bit, bridle, or
halter, it was turned out to grass. And now, as the elephant began
careering right across the cricket-field in the direction of the row of
elms, there was a shout of dismay from the row occupying the forms; and,
headed by Mr Morris, a retreat was made to a place of safety, that
being represented by the doors opening on to the playground--Mr Morris,
the mathematical master, c