Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-08

likewise still more curious partiality for
small stones and earth. So great was his
appetite, that he has been known to eat half
lamb at one meal and buttermilk he
would drink by the pitcher full without
seeming to draw breath. He would never
submit to wear any articles of dress even
in the coldest weather; and when quilt
stuffed with cotton was given to him, the
tore 1t to pieces, and ate portion of it
cotton and all-wlth his bread every day."
The countenance of the boy was repulsive,
and his habits filthy in the extreme. He
was never known to smile; and, although
fond of dogs and jackals, formed no attach
ment for any human being. Even when
favorite pariah dog, which used to feed
with him, was shot for having fallen under
suspicion of taking the lions share of the
meal, he appeared to be quite indifferent.
He sometimes walked erect; but generally
ran on all-fours-more especially to his
food when it was placed at distance from
him.
Another of these wolf-children was car
ried off from his parents at Chupra twenty
miles from Sultanpoor,) when he was three
years Of age. They were at work in the
field, the man cutting his crop of wheat and
pulse, and the woman cleaning after him.
with the child sitting on the grass. Sud-
denly there rushed into the family party,
from behind bush. gaunt wolf, and, ,seiz-
ing the boy by the loins, ran off with him
to neighboring ravine. The mother fol-
lowed with loud screams, which brought
the whole village to her assistance; but
they soon lost sight of the wolf and his
prey and the boy was heard of no more TOR
six years. At the end of that time, he was
found by two sipahis associating, as in the
former case, with wolves, and caught by the
leg when he had got halfway into the den.
He was very ferocious when drawn out, BIZ
ting at his deliverers, and seizing hold of
the barrel of one of their guns with his
teeth. They secured him, however, AMI
carried HIM home, when they fed him on
raw flesh, hares, and birds, till they found
the charge too enormous, and gave him up
to the public charity of the village till he
should be recognized by his parents. This
actually came to pass. His mother, oy that
time widow, hearing report ofthe strange
boy at Koeleapoor, FASTENED to the place
from her own village of Chupra, and, by
means of indubitable marks upon his per-
son, recognized her child transformed into
wild animal. She carried him home with
her; but finding him destitute Of natural af-
fecton, and in other respects wholly ire
claimable, at the end of two months she
left him to the common charity of the vii
lage.
When this boy drank, he dipped his face
in the water and sucked. The front of his
elbows and knees had become hardened
from going on all-fours with the wolves
The village boys amused themselves by
throwing frogs to him, which he caught and
devoured; and when bullock died and
was skinned he resorted TO the carcass like
the dogs of the place ,and fed upon the car
rion. His body smelled Extensively. He
remained in the village during the day, for
the sake of what he could get to eat, but
always went off to the Jungle at night. In
other particulars, his habits resembled those
already described. We have only to add
respecting him, that in November, 1850,
lie was sent from Sultanpoor, under the
charge of his mother, to Colonel Sleeman
then probably at Lucknow-but. something
alarming him on the way he ran into jun
gle, and had not been recovered at the date
Of the last dispatch.
We pass over three other narratives of a
similar kind, that present nothing peculiar,
and shall conclude with one more specimen
Of the Indian wolt-boy. This human ami
NAL was captured, like the first we have
described, by trooper. with the assistance
of another person on foot. When placed
on the pommel of the saddle, he tore the
horseman's clothes, and, although his hands
were tied, ,contrived to bite him severely in
several places. He was taken 10 Dondee,
where the rajah took charge of him till he
was carried off by Janoo, lad who was
khidmutgar (table- -attendant)to travelling
Cashmere merchant. The boy was then
apparently about twelve years of age, and
went upon all-lours, although he could
stand, and go awkwardly on his legs when
threatened. Under Janoo's attention, how
ever. in beating and rubbing his legs with
OIL he learned to walk like other human
beings. But the vulpine smell continued
w oS 'Ci UOuy was
rubbed for some months with mustard-seed
soaked in water, and he was compelled du-
ring the discipline to live on rice, pulse and
bread. He slept under the mango-tree,
where Janoo himself lodged, but was al
wavs tied to tent-pn.
One night, when TIE wild boy was lying
asleep under his tree, ,Janoo saw two wolves
come up stealthily, and smell at him.
They touched him, and he awoke; and, RI
sing from his reclining posture, he put his
hands upon the heads of his visitors, and
they licked his face. They capered round
him, and he threw straw and leaves at
them. The khidmutg4r gave up his pro-
tege for lost; but presently he became con-
vinced that they were only at play, and he
kept quiet. He at length gained conf
dence enough to drive the wolves away;
but they soon came back, and resumed
their sport for a time. The next night,
three playfellows made their appearance,
and, in few nights after, four. They
came four or five times till Janoo lost all
his fear Of them. When the Cashmere
merchant returned TO Lucknow, where his
establishment was, Janoo still carried his
pet with HIM, tied by string to his own
arm; and, to make him useful according to
his capacity, with bundle on his bead
At every jungle they passed, however, the
boy would throw down the bundle, and at
tempt to dart into the thicket; repeating
the insubordination, though repeatedly
beaten for it, TILL he was faily subduea, and
became docile by degrees. The greatest
difficulty was TO get him to wear clothes,
which to the last he often injured or de-
IL. 1 Ian