Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-22
STORY OF AN ELEPHANT.

ElepQdnS nave ueClueu lining 1oA L1Ait@-
ry life. Various regiments whilst serving in
the East have had such an animal, which Of
ten rendered good service to the corps to which
he might be attached. The Kings Rangers
at one time were in possession of fine male
of enormouse size, which for many years was
never once absent from parade. At soon as
the bugle sounded, he would walk majestical-
ly to the place of muster, and take up his po.
sition at the right of the column. If the ma.
hout or driver presented 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, be obeyed the ordinary
words of command without ever making a
mistake, such as "Right face" March"
"Mark time," "Halt" He insisted at all
times on giving help to the men whenever
they were engaged in loading or unloading
baggage, and was evidently pleased to be al
lowed to make himself generally useful.
When the wagons were impeded on the march,
as it not unfrequently happened, Jock was
duly sensible of his own Importance, for by
his enormous strength he would push heavy
load up steep declivity, which six or eight
oxen failed to do without his assistance.
It happened that the Rangers we're sudden
ly ordered to embark for China, and there
was no accommodation for taking Jock on
shipboard. To the great disappointment of
the men, the authorities decided that he should
be left in India. He was, however, permitted
to accompany the regiment as far as the quay,
to watch the troops as they went on board,
many of whom had parting word Of kind.
ness for their old comrade. Good.by, old
man-"Poor old Jock" repeated, with
many variations, both by officers and men.
Meanwhile the animal watched the proceed.
ings with great apparent interest, as if won
dering when his own turn would come to 60
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 anoth.
er corps, but he most persistently refused to
have any thing to do with it. Neither the
coaxing nor the threats of his mahout were of
any avail. Though be had previously mani
tested the gentlest disposition, he now threat
eningly 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 confinement Even
the mahout himself was several times placed
in very awkward predicament, and on one
occasion barely escaped with his life. No
means could be found to assuage the grief Or
to calm the anger of this faithful creatures
who so constantly mourned the loss of his
friends. But, in little less than two years,
the Rangers came back to their old quarters,
and were informed of the melancholy change
which had come over their old comrade., RS
"No 60 near-no touch, sahib; he strike.
hard" said the mahout; "he kill" .ss.s.s .2f.,
"Why, Jock, my boy" said young officer,
formerly one of his special friends a"why,
what's the matter?" :,As -
;, The animal pricked up his ears;sand in.
stantly recognized the voice, which was proved
by his manifesting unmistakable signs and
sounds of Joy. It was quite affecting to see,
when once more he was permitted freely to
repair to the parade-ground, with what kindly
recognition be embraced many Of his compan.
ions, placing his trunk tenderly on their neck
and shoulders. I need hardly say he was at
once reinstated in bis old regimental post, the
duties of which he recommended to discharge
as if no interruption had taken place.