It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening by the time that everything was ready for a start. Eight horses were harnessed to the box, which, with Jumbo, weighed over twelve tons, and long ropes were fastened to the axles, so that men could assist the horses in dragging the enormous load. Each rope was about two hundred feet long, and at least five hundred people took hold of them. The horses and the men made a tremendous effort, but after they had pulled the box about three feet, the wheels sank into the ground, and it could not be stirred. Mr. Barnum then sent to the Madison Square Garden for two elephants. He proposed to take Jumbo out of his box, and to introduce him to the two elephants, hoping that he would accept their invitation to take a stroll up Broadway with them, and to stop at their hotel—as they would politely call the Madison Square Garden.
Before the elephants arrived, eight more horses were harnessed to the box; it was pried out of the mud, and started slowly on its way. At the Bowling Green the two elephants from Madison Square Garden were met, and welcomed Jumbo with enthusiastic "trumpetings," to which he courteously replied. Two or three times the box came to a stop while on the way up Broadway, but the horses and men pulled and the two elephants pushed until it was in motion again. It was after midnight when the Madison Square Garden was reached, and then it was found that the box was so big it would not go through the doors. So poor Jumbo had to pass the night in the street.
On Monday, however, he was safely installed in his new home. He has not mentioned how he likes this new continent, or the strange people among whom he has come; but considering the attention he receives, and the dainties fed him by thousands of admiring little folks, he ought to be a serene and satisfied elephant.
[CHASED BY A SHARK.]
A REMINISCENCE OF THE RED SEA.
BY DAVID KER.
"What a jolly place for a swim! I'll have one as soon as my dinner's digested."
"Take my advice, and don't do nothin' of the sort; for if you do, as sure as eggs are eggs, there'll be somethin' else digested besides your dinner."
"How do you mean?"