Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-06-15

darling away through the woods with
frightful yells of terror. The scene was
awful the dcmoniac yels of the savages,
the Infatuated trumpeting of the elephant,
were enough to-strike terror and dismay
to the stoutest heart.
The company headed by Mr.. Robin
son, rushing up Immediately, scattered
the Indians from off the elephants back
and led him away. He manifested his
delight at finding himself once more
among his friends by repeatedly caressing
his keeper with his trunk. His. body was
found to be covered with wounds, from
which the blood was flowing in streams.
Over one hundred arrows were found
sticking in his body. Their first pro-
coed ing Was to extract the arrows. each
one as it was drawn from his flesh caused
him to utter plteous moans of pain, and
then staunch the flow of blood, which
being done, he was enabled with great
difficulty to walk back to the camp
Amid the confusion it was impossible. to
ascertain how he became loosened from
his pia ce of confinement, but upon ex-
aiming the CHAIN it was found to be
unlocked, showing that it was through
the agency of some mischievously inclined
person and upon strict inquiry being
made, it was ascertained that a party of
young braves, noticing how very gentle
and harmless the elephant was, concluded
to have grand menagerie procession of
their own; and while some were unlock
ing his chains, five or six leaped upon his
back and two more walked on each side
and steered him along. and thus the
grand cavalcade started for the Indian
quarter of the town. intending, no doubt,
to create big sensation among their
brethren, which they certainly did,
though with result far different from
what they anticipated ; for, upon reach
ing the frstofa long row of wigwams,
he discovered the top CT enc which had
been covered the day before with the
long. sweet grass of the prairie, thrust
out his trunk for mouthful, when the
whole top gave way, and out burst the
frightened inmates with terrific screams,
also soaring the elephant at the same
time.
The Indians, becoming alarmed for the
safety of the rest of the wigwams, COM
menced goading him with spears and
knives lie at the same time, a hun
dred torches were flashed upon the scene,
producing the very object they were en-
deayoring to prevent, for it not only con-
fused but blinded the elephant, while the
pain and torture of the knife and arrow
wounds rendered bin almost frantic with |
rage and terror to su b degree that he
rushed madly forward. dealing destruction
on all sides and it would be difficult to
tell which party expressed the most salts
faction in parting from each. others SO,
ciety, Indians or elephant.
Old Emperor was purchased from the
King of Siam, and has been in this coun-
t:y an exhibition for about thirty years.
He is known to all showpen as being the
best dispositioned elephant in the United |
States, never having been known to in
jure any living creature. The indians
noticing how very gentle he was, were
not slow to take advantage Of his docility
and good nature.
The Western Indian is noted for his |
thieving propensity, but history has no |
record of their ever endeavoriug to pilfer |
so large an animal before. although their
disposition was good enough to attempt
it. But they have the consolation of
knowing that they are not the first show
man that started out and "busted up"
Mr. Robinson Immediately sent for the
chief to endeavor to oonciliste him, and
to remunerate those who had lost their
dwellings by the unfortunate occurrence.
Upon the arrival of that dignitary, he
quickly made known his wishes, when the
chief Immediately replied that the father
of all the animals, as he termed the ele.
plant. was not to blame. but that the
blame rested upon bis young men who
had unlfastened old Emperor, fer which |
they were very sorry and hoped Mr..
Robinson would forgive them: and now
as no one had been killed -only very
badly scared-he did not think it right
that the 'father of all the animals" should
be mado to ply anything, although nine
teen wigwams were destroyed"
Old Emperor appears to be particularly
unfortunate in alventures. Winter before
last. while travelling ia tho South, he
had terrific combat with alligators in q
Florida swamp, where he succeeded ia
saving the white camel that stands by his
side, and which at that time was IN ere
calf and now comes this last midnight
encounter with the Pattawatom les, the
wounds from which be will net seon re-
cover. |