194 
THIRD BOOK. 
elephants were led every day to drink. "This man 
vcontracted a kind of acquaintance with one of the 
largest of these beasts, and used tn present him 
with fruits and other vegetables, whenever the 
elephant passed by his door. The elephant was 
accustomed to puthis long trunk in atthe window, 
and to receive in that manner whatever his friend 
chose to give. But one day the tailor happened 
to be in a more than ordinary ill-humour, and 
not considering how dangerous it might prove 
to provoke an animal of that size and strength, 
when the elephant put his trunk in at the window, 
as usual, instead of giving him any thing to eat, 
he pricked him with his needle. The elephant 
ınstantly withdrew his trunk, and without showing 
any marks of resentment, went on with the rest 
to drink; but after he had quenched his thirst, he 
collected a large quantity of the dirtiest water he 
could find in his trunk, which I have already told 
you is capable of holding many gallons, and when 
he passed by the tailor’s shop on his return, he dis- 
charged it full in his face, with so true an aim, that 
he wetted him all over, and almost drowned him; 
thus justly punishing the man for his ill-nature 
and breach of friendship.”