They kept on at good speed, plying every one with questions, and getting such full replies as to the startling size and aspect of the creature that they expected to have his huge gray shape loom into sight at any moment.
Finally they came to a prosperous farm among the outbuildings of which something very exciting was evidently transpiring, as the folks were hurrying thither breathlessly.
"Nalla's there!" cried Nadine, clutching the officer's arm in her anxiety. "I hope they're not hurting him. Oh! come, let us be quick and get to him."
"Hurting him!" laughed the officer. "Not much fear of that! He can take care of himself. I'm more concerned about his hurting some of them. Come along!" and catching the girl's hand he broke into a run.
CHAPTER VIII.
NALLA RECOVERED.
They made their way around the rear of the barn, and then one glance was sufficient to explain the excitement. Before them stretched an extensive market-garden, displaying a splendid variety of vegetables in full growth; cabbages, cauliflowers, beets, carrots, radishes, celery, and so forth, covered the well-weeded soil with their succulent verdure.
The sagacious elephant had not taken long to appreciate the opportunity upon which he had come by the mere chance of his frantic flight. The tempting green things had appealed at once to him, and he was busy sampling the different delicacies, pulling them from the ground with that wonderful trunk of his quite as deftly as the proprietor or his servants could have done it with their hands.
Meanwhile the latter, armed with pitchforks, rakes, brooms, and other rural implements, were keeping a respectful distance as they shouted and waved their weapons at the voracious intruder, who proceeded with his feast as steadily and calmly as if he neither saw nor heard them.