The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-04
THE ELEPHANT.

In the year lSOO, the BRUSH army laiu Siege
to the city Of Bhrutpore, in The East Indies. The
siege was long one, the army large, and attend
ed by thousands of cattle and horses, and great
many Elephants. In that hot country, so many
men and animals, of course, drank large guam
titles OF water every day, so that when summer
came with its dry winds, it was found that the
tanks, or ponds, began 10 fail, and were after a
while entirely dry. At these ponds, the cattle
and elephants always drank, SO that when they
were dried up, there was no water, except in the
wells, which in that country are very large, being
ten or twelve feet across. AT one of these wells,
on which they chiefly depended for water, there
was a constant crowd OF men and animals, all
thirsty, and each one anxious to drink before the
other, so that there was often much confusion,
and sometimes hard words among the men who
came to water the beasts.
| One day, two elephant keepers, each with his
elephant, came as usual alter water. One OF
these animals was very large, and the other small
and weak. A bucket had been given the small
one by his keeper, which he carried on the end
of his trunk, but the large one had no bucket, nor
had his keeper any, with which to draw up the
water. The large elephant being thirsty, and
wanting to drink first, and seeing that the bucket
in possession of his weaker brother was in his
power, seized il, and took it away from his poor
fellow servant, who was probably as thirsty as
himself. The small elephant knew his own
weakness too WELL to try to take his bucket again,
or to punish such an insult by open violence
| He therefore, for the present, remained quiet,
probably thinking to take his revenge in some
other way. The keepers, however, quarreled
between themselves, and offered each other much
abuse, because the master OF the small elephant
thought the other keeper told his animal to take
away the bucket. While they were quarreling,
the small elephant was watching the large one,
and seeking chance to punish him for the IN
suit; and seeing him happen to turn his side to-
wards the well, he drew back few steps, give
himself more force, and then rushing forward
with all his might, struck his enemy such terri
BILE blow, as to pitch him fairly into the well.
Such an accident to the fountain on which so
many people chiefly depended for water, gave
great alarm to the officers and others, for no one
saw how the huge animal could be raised out, and
therefore they thought he must perish there, and
thus spoil the water. The well down to the
water, where the elephant lay, was about twenty
feet deep, and the depth Of water below him was
considerable; SO that he foated on the surface;
and not being hurt by the fall, seemed highly to
enjoy so cool and comfortable place, and made
no exertions to get out. After some time spent
| in conriving what course could be taken to raise
the animal out, without hurting him, his keeper
thought it could be done by sinking fascines un-
der him, and thus gradually raising him TO the
| top of the well. Fascines are bundles Of small
wood, or brush, bound together, and are used by
armies to fill up bitches, or small streams Of wa
ter, SO that men and horses can cross them when
there are no bridges. A vast number Of such
bundles had been prepared by the army, to be
used in this siege, and permission was given by
the officers to use them on this occasion. But
who would believe that the elephant could be
made to know how to use them, for in order to
raise him up, they must be piled, one bundle OH
the other, in manner so firm and regular as to
bear his great weight when standing on them?-
His keeper, however, soon taught him his lesson,
and made him understand what he must do with
the fascines, SO that when they were lowered
down to him, the sagacious creature took them,
one by one, and placed them under him, until in
a short time, he was able to stand upon them.-
Seeing now that there was no danger, and think
| ing that he could get out when he pleased, the
cunning brute determined to enjoy the pleasure of
his cool situation little longer, and therefore re-
fused to proceed with his w rk; nor could all the
scoding, or threats of his keeper, make him place
another fascine under him. Finding that there
was no use in trying TO drive him, the keeper was
obliged to be as cunning as his elephant. He
therefore began to soothe him. He praised him
for what he had already done, and promised him
plenty ofbrandy, or arrack, liquors Of which this
animal is very fond if he would 60 and finish
his work. The knowing creature, fatered by
such praises, and encouraged by such promises,
again wentto placing the fascines under him, with
such diligence, as soon to raise himself SO high,
that by taking away some Of the dirt and stones,
on one side Of the well, he was able TO step out
unhurt