The lad uttered a shrill whistle. Emperor responded by a
piercing scream. He then whirled, facing up the road in Phil's
direction, though unable to see the lad.
Once more the boy whistled. Emperor was off in a twinkling.
"Steady, steady, Emperor!" cautioned the lad, as he saw the huge
hulk bearing swiftly down on him. "Easy, old boy!"
But the elephant did not lessen his speed one particle. Phil
felt sure, however, that he himself would not be harmed. He knew
Emperor too well. With perfect confidence in the great animal,
the lad threw both hands above his head, standing motionless in
the center of the street right in the path of the oncoming beast.
"Steady, steady, steady!" cautioned Phil. "Now up, Emperor!"
The elephant's long, sinuous trunk uncurled, coiled about the
lad's waist and the next instant Phil felt himself being lifted
to the big beast's head.
"I've got him!" shouted Phil, carried away by the excitement of
the moment. "Now, go it! Emperor! Go faster than you ever have
since you chased lions in the jungle."
And Emperor did go it! As he tore down the village street he
woke the echoes with his shrill trumpetings, bringing every man
and woman in the little village tumbling from their beds.
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