The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-09
ELEPHANT AND TIGER FIGHT.


fFron Fnlayson's mission to Siam, &c. VI
.In the midst of a grassy plain, about hall
mile long, and nearly as much in breadth,
about sixty or seventy fine elephants were
drawn up. in several ranks, each animal be-
ing provided with mahawat and hauda,
which was empty. On the enc side were
placed convenient seats, the Governor,
Mandarins, and numerous train OF soldiers,
being also present at the spectacle.
crowd of spectators occupied the side opPo
site. The tiger was bound to stake'
placed in the centre of the plain, by means
of stout rope fastened round his IONS. we
soon perceived how unequal was the com
bat; the claws of the poor animal mao Deen
torn out, and strong stitch boundt the lips
together, and prevented him from opening
his mouth. On being turned loose from the
CAGE. he attempted to bound over the plain,
but finding all attempts to extricate himself
useless. he threw himself at length upon the
grass, till seeing large elephant with long
tusks approach, he got up and faced the
coming danger. The elephant was by this
attitude, and the horrid growl OF the tiger.
too much intimidated, and turned aside,
while the tiger pursued him heavily, and
struch him with his paw upon the hind quar-
ter quckening his pace not little. The
mahawat succeeded in bringing the elephant
to the charge again before he had gone tar,
and this time he rushed on furiously, driving
his tusks into the earth under the tiger, and
lifting him Up fairly, gave him clear cast
to the distance of about thirty feet This
was an interesting point in the combat; the
tiger lay along the ground as if he were
dead, vet it appeared that he had received
no material injury, for on the next attack, he
threw himself into an attitude of defence, and
as the elephan. was again about to take him
up he sprang upon his forehead, fixing his
hind feet upon the trunk of the former.
The elephant was wounded in this attack,
and SO much frightened, that nothing could
prevent him from breaking through every
obstacle, and fairly running off. The ma
hawai- was considered to have Failed in his
duty, and soon after was brought up to the
Governor with MS hands bound behind his
back, and on the spot received hundred
lashes CT the rattan.
"Another elephant was now brought, bu
the tiger made less resistance on each sue
cessive attack. 1t was evident that tn
tosses he received must soon occasion hi
death. All the elephants were turnlsht
with tusks, and the mode OF attack III ever
instance, for several others were called tor
ward, was that Of rushing upon the tiger
tuTuSllDS tHFlf tuShS uifdSI Hliis iaioi"o Hih
and throwing him at distance. OF thei
trunks they evidently were very careful
rolling them cautiously up under the CHR
When the tiger was perfectly dead, an elc
phant was brought up, who, instead of rails
ing the tiger on his tusks, seized him wit
his trunk. and in general cast him to til
distance of thirty feet.
'The tiger fight was succeeded by I'll
representation Of combat Of a different de
scripton. The object Of it was, to sho,
with what steadiness a line Of elephants wa
capable of adsancing upon, and passing tn
lines Of the enemy. A double line of er
trenchments was thrown up, and in front {
it was placed upon sticks, quantity of CON
bustibe matter, with fireworks of varior
descriptions, and few small pieces of arti
lerv. In an instant the whole was in blaz
and a smart fire was kept up. The elt
plants advanced in line, at steady and raj
i'd pace, but though they went close up
the fire, there were very few that could
forced TO pass it all of them shutting roui
it some way or other. This attack was n
peased Sc ond time, and put an end to II
amusements."