"Ah, thank you, musician," said Nalla, looking highly pleased, and, as soon as Cæsar struck up, he began dancing, if not with grace, at least with great earnestness. Indeed the huge creature kept time with his feet, and circled about in a way that one could hardly have believed him capable of doing.
"Excellent! Excellent! Nalla!" exclaimed Abel, while the spectators showed their concurrence by a hearty round of applause. "You certainly are a famous dancer. Now that will do for the present. You can take a rest."
But, instead of obeying, Nalla continued his circling, and the waving of his trunk in a very droll fashion.
"That will do, I tell you," Abel cried. "Stop, or I'll have to make you!"
Nalla only danced the harder, and was evidently mocking Abel with that wonderful trunk which seemed equal to expressing any emotion. The spectators laughed heartily. The elephant was more than fulfilling expectations. Indeed they had never before seen so intelligent and amiable a monster.
"Oh, I know what you're driving at," said Abel, the angry frown on his face yielding to a smile of comprehension. "You want to fight a duel. All right! I'm at your service."
Nalla wagged his trunk joyfully, ceased pirouetting, and took up a position opposite Abel, who produced two foils with buttons, one of which he extended to the elephant.
Nalla eagerly seized it with his trunk, and put himself on guard.
"Ready now!" cried Abel, and at once opened the attack with great spirit.
But Nalla, dexterously wielding his foil, parried every thrust to perfection, and Abel could not get past his guard, try as hard as he might.