Page 88 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days

and received the direct force of each concussion as he trod
along, he was very careful, in accordance with his master’s
advice, to keep his tongue from between his teeth, as it
would otherwise have been bitten off short. The worthy

fellow bounced from the elephant’s neck to his rump, and
vaulted like a clown on a spring-board; yet he laughed in
the midst of his bouncing, and from time to time took a
piece of sugar out of his pocket, and inserted it in Kiouni’s
trunk, who received it without in the least slackening his
regular trot.
After two hours the guide stopped the elephant, and
gave him an hour for rest, during which Kiouni, after
quenching his thirst at a neighbouring spring, set to
devouring the branches and shrubs round about him.
Neither Sir Francis nor Mr. Fogg regretted the delay, and
both descended with a feeling of relief. ‘Why, he’s made
of iron!’ exclaimed the general, gazing admiringly on
Kiouni.
‘Of forged iron,’ replied Passepartout, as he set about
preparing a hasty breakfast.
At noon the Parsee gave the signal of departure. The
country soon presented a very savage aspect. Copses of
dates and dwarf-palms succeeded the dense forests; then
vast, dry plains, dotted with scanty shrubs, and sown with

87 of 339