THE PUP AND THE ELEPHANT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 6

THE PUP AND THE ELEPHANT

A WATERFRONT REMI-

NISCENCE

(By

I.M.L.)

The other clay a group of waterfront old-times were discussing some of the animal episodes which had occurred on the Wellington wharves during the past twenty-five years. Talcs, amusing and excitir.g, there were of escaped bulls, cows, sheep, pigs, and even a goose, but honoours for being the most amusing went to the episode of the pup and the elephant. Several years ago Wirth Bros.’ Circus was being landed at the outer tee of the Queen’s Wharf. The herd of elephants were standing, or, rather, swaying about on the wharf alongside the steamer. A little yellow pup came bounding down the wharf, having a high old time. Emitting piercing yelps, he chased a motor-car, took a bounding snap at the knees of old Mick Murphy, the wharf custodian, dodged a kick from Mick, ran between the (egs of a ‘flapper,” pursued some waterfront pigeons, and ultimately found himself at the outer end of the wharf. . From around the wharf shed slowly came the gigantic form of Toby, the foutton elephant (a female, by the way). The pup stood aghast, his eyes almost starting from their sockets, and the bristles along his spine standing up like a startled cat’s. The pup could scarcely belihve his senses, and he remained transfixed with astonishment watching the mighty Toby now “backing and filling,” about twenty feet nway. Toby’s trunk swung backwards, forwards. and sidewards, and _ finally this appealed to the pup’s festive humour. Casting discretion to the winds, with a challenging yap the pup dashed at the swinging trunk, but Toby deftly switched it out of the way. aud the pup, instead of fastening his teeth into it, butted head-on to the colossal front legs, of the elephant. He rebounded with the impact, but executed a skilful, getaway to-the right flank. ■ The pup had realised that the trunk was not such easy game, so he decided upon a rear attack. .Spectators gathered around to watch the fun. The pup rushed in with an exultant bark, and tried his teeth on the ironhard heels of Toby. lie soon came to the conclusion it was like trying to bite a gate-post. He next scampered round and made a bounding snap at the loose folds of epidermic armour hanging from the elephant’s abdomen, but teeth were never cut that could make an impression on that. Yet, after three or four rollicking runs and snaps the pup found that although his teeth only grazed Toby s hide, it disconcerted his gigantic quarry, who now moved nervously sidewards as though a weak spot had been found in her The pup galloped around, howling with glee, dashing enthusiastically, between Toby’s hind legs. His impetus, however, finally carried him right through Toby’s forelegs, and then something happened. Toby’s trunk whipped up the pup, like a flash. Onlookers thought that there would be a strange face in the dogs’ paradise in a moment. But no; Toby merely gave her trunk a long, sweeping swing, and bowled the pup about forty feet along the deck of the wharf, the pup rolling over,and over like a bowl on a grass rink. When the pup came to a stop he leapt to his feet and gazed about with a bewildered expression on his dusty face. Then there came over him a sudden realisation of having played with death. After looking hurriedly around for his bearings, he ducked his head and flew for the wharf exit. Bystanders thought they detected a twinkle in the elephant’s, little black eyes as the pup disappeared into the distance amidst a roar of laughter.