Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-31

straint, shows how kindly they must have
taken to the eserviee, .1'
Elephants have a decided liking for
military life. Various regiments while
serving in the East have had such an
animal, which often rendered good ser.
vice to corps to which he might be at
tached. The Kings Rangers at one
time were in possession of fine male of
enormous size, which for many years was
never once absent from parade. As
soon as the bugles sounded he would walk
majestcally to the place of muster, and
take up his position at the right of the
column. If the mahout or driver pre-
sented himself, the elephant would lift
him on to his shoulders by means Of his
trunk, and evidently without the slight,
est effort to himself; but if left to his own
unaided intelligence, he obeyed the Or
dinary words of command without ever
making mistake, such as Right face. .
March, Mark time" Halt" He in
sisted at all times on giving help to the
men whenever they we're engaged 10
loading or unloading baggage, aud was
evidently pleased 70 be allowed to make
himself generally useful, When the
wagons we're impeded on the march, as
it not unfrequently happened, Jock was
duly sensibleof his own Importance. for
by his enormous strength he would push
a heavy load up steep activity which
six or eight.oxen failed to do without his
assistance. .l rf
1t happened that the Rangers we're sud.
denly ordered to embark for China, and
there was no accommodation for taking
Jock on shipboard To the great dissp-
! pointment OF the men, the authorities de-
oided that he should be left in India.
He was, however, permitted to accompa-
ny the regiment as far as the quay, to
watch the troops as they went on board,
many Of whom had parting word OF
kindness for their old comrade Good
bye, old man. Poor old Jock, we're
repeated with many variations both by
officers and men. Meanwhile the animal
watched the proceedings with great ap
parent interest, as if wondering when his
own turn would come to 20 on board.
But when the vessel steamed off and left
him ashore, he became frantic with rage
and disappointment. 1t had been pro
posed that he should be transferred to
another corps, but he most persistently
refused to have anything to de with it.
Neither the coaxing nor the threats Of
his mahout we're of any avail. Though
he had previously manifested the gem
tlest disposition, he now threateningly
withstood all kindly advances on the part
Of his would-be comrades, and at length
so savage did he become that it was
deemed expedient to place him in con-
6nement. No means could be found to
assuage the grief or to calm the anger of
this faithful creature, who 80 constantly
mourned the loss of his friends. But in
little less than two years the Rangers
came back to their old quarters, and
were informedof the melancholy change
which had come over their old comrade.
No 60 near, no touch sshib; he strike
hard, I" said the mshout; he kill"
why, Jock, my boy" said young
officer, formerly one of his special friends,
why, what's the matterP"
The animal pricked up his ears, and
instantly recognized the voice, which
was proved by his manifesting unmistak
able signs and sounds of joy. 1t was
quite affecting to see, when once more he
was permitted freely to repair to the pa
rade-greund, with what kindly recogni-
ton he embraced many Of his compan-
ions, placing bis trunk tenderly on their
! neck and shoulders. l need hardly say
he was at once reinstated in his old regi-
mental post, the duties Of which he re-
commenced to discharge as If no inter
ruption had taken place. t