This was indeed so, for the beast was tearing about the clearing like mad, breaking off trees, and uprooting them in sheer vantonness.  Tom knew what a “rogue” elephant was.  It is a beazt that goes away from the herd, and lives solitary and alone, attacking every living thing that comes in his way.  It is a species of masness, a disease which attacks elephants and sometimes passes away.  More often the afflicted creature gives battle to everything and every animal he meets until he is killed or carried off by his malady.  It was sueh an elephant that Tom now saw, and he realized what the hunter said about attacking one, as he saw the brute’s mad rushes.

“Well, if it’s dangerous to attack him on the ground, we’ll kill him from up above,” said the young inventor.  “Here is the electric rifle, Mr. Durban.  I’ll let you have the honor of getting those tusks.  My!  But they’re whoppers!  Better use almost a full charge.  Don’t take any chances on merely wounding him, and having him rush off to the jungle.”

“I won’t,” said the old hunter, and he adjusted the electric rifle which Tom handed him.

As the great beast was tearing around, trumpeting shrilly and breaking off trees Mr. Durban fired.  The creature sank down, instantly killed, and was out of his misery, for often it is great pain which makes an otherwise peaceable elephant become a “rogue.”

“He’s done for,” said Ned.  “I guess you have the tusks you want now, Mr. Durban.”

“I think so,” agreed the hunter, and when the airship was sent down, and the ivory cut out, it was found that the tusks were even larger than they had supposed.  “It is a prize worth having,” said Mr. Durban.  “I’m sure my customer will think so, too.  Now I’m ready to head for the coast.”

Tom Swift went to the engine room, while the last big tusks were being stored away with the other ivory.  Several parts of the motor needed oiling, and Ned was assisting in this work.

“Going to start soon?” asked Mr. Durban, appearing in the doorway.

“Yes; why?” inquired Tom, who noted an anxious note in the voice of the hunter.

“Well, I don’t like staying longer in this jungle than I can help.  It’s not healthy in the first place, and then it’s a wild and desolate place, where all sorts of wild beasts are lurking, and where wandering hands of natives may appear at any time.”

“You don’t mean that the red pygmies will come back; do you?” asked Ned.

“There’s no telling,” replied Mr. Durban with a shrug of his shoulders.  “Only, as long as we’ve got what we’re after, I’d start off as soon as possible.”

“Yes, don’t run any chances with those little red men,” begged Andy Foger, who had given himself up for lost when he and his companion fell into their hands.

“Radder vould I be mit cannibals dan dose little imps!” spoke the German fervently.

“We’ll start at once,” declared Tom.  “Are you all aboard, and is everything loaded into the airship?”