plash--blub--blub--blub--_

Toby's black little eyes seemed to twinkle with mischief as he gave a
final tug and plunged the trainer into the water. Then while the man
floundered about, the animal deliberately put his two front feet onto the
edge of the shelf and reached out toward the pile of loaves. One by one
he picked them up and deftly slipped them into his mouth, disregarding
the shouts of the trainer.

But once in the water the man decided that he would stay in and drive the
elephant out.

"Hi, Jerry," he shouted. "Throw me down the pike. I'll git the blasted
critter out o' here if it takes me all night!"

Jerry tossed the short pike pole down onto the shelf and the trainer
climbed out to get it. When the elephant saw the pole he immediately
began to wade across the quarry hole.

"Oh, no, yuh don't, Toby. I'll git yuh, now," shouted the man, as he
plunged back into the water and began to swim toward the beast.

"Git outa here, yuh brute," he thundered, when he came alongside the huge
bulk. And he accentuated his command by jabbing the pike deep into the
beast's hide. As meekly as a lamb the elephant turned around, after
allowing the trainer to climb onto the top of his head, he waded toward
the shelf and climbed out of the water without the slightest sign of
rebellion.

"There, consarn his pesky hide, he's out now," said the little manager to
Bruce, who was still laughing over the comical antics of the big beast.

"Good," said the lad. Then, turning, he called to Babe, "Hi! how about
the blasting mat sling--is it finished?"

"Yes, it's ready," shouted the fat Scout.

"Well, then, we're all in good shape," said the patrol leader, inspecting
the outfit. "Now for business. Ho, Jiminy, flash Mr. Ford the signal."

Instantly Gordon bounded out of the circle of light and climbed the
nearest stone pile. Then with his battery he began to flash the Morse
code toward headquarters, where Mr. Ford was waiting. The circus manager
took the whole performance in with wide eyes.

"Say, hang it all, you Scouts know a thing or two, don't yuh?"

"Yes, we know enough to be fairly helpful," said Bruce modestly. Then,
as he saw Mr. Ford flash back his O.K., he said, "Now we'll let 'er go."

He seized the reverse lever on the motor and threw it over. The derrick
drums squeaked a moment before settling down to a business-like grumble.
Then the rusted steel cable, with the improvised blasting mat sling
dangli