Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-11-09
Stery Of an Elephant.


for military life. Various regi
ments, while serving In the East,
have had such an animal, which often
rendered good service to the corps to
which he might be attached.
The Kings Rangers at one time
were in possession Of fine female OF
enormous size, which for many years
was never once absent from parade.
As soon as the bugles sounded he
would walk majestically to the place
Of muster and take up his position, al
ways at the right of the column.
If the mahout, or driver, presented
himself, the elephant would lift him
up to his shoulders with his trunk,
and evidently without the slightest
effort to himself; but if left to his
own unaidcd intelligence, he obeyed
the ordinary words Of command,
without ever making mistake, such
as, "Rigbt Face! p "March p "Mark
Time y ''Halt !" and so on.
He insisted at all times on giving
help, to the men whenever they en-
gagged in loading or unloading bag
gage, and was pleased to be allowed
to make himself useful.
When the wagons were impeded
on march, as not unfre quently occur.
red, Jock was duly sensible Of his own
Importance, for, by his enormous
strength, he would push heavy load
up steep decliyity, which six OF
eight oxen failed to do unassisted:
1t happened that the rangers were
suddenly ordered to embark fol
China, and there were no accommo-
dations 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 kindness for their old comrade.
"Good-by, old mani" "Poor ole
Jockr" were repeated, with many
variations, by both officers and men
Meanwhile the animal watched tn,
proceedings with great apparen
interest, as if wondering when BIZ
! own turn would come to 60 on board
but when the vessel steamed off anG
left him ashore he became frantic will
rage and disappointment.
It had been proposed that he shoult
be transferred to another corps; bu
he persistenly refused to have any
thing to do with it. Neither tit
coaxing nor the threats of his mahou
were of any avail.
Though he had previously manifest
ed the gertlest disposition, he nov
threateningly repealed all kindly
advances on the part of his new
comrades, and at length he became
so savage that it was deemed expedien'
to place him in confinement, Ever
the mahout was several times placed
in very awkward predicament, an(
on one occasion barely escaped will
his life.
No means could be found to assuag'
the grief or to calm the anger OF THU
faithful creature, who so constantly
mourned the loss of his friends bu
in a little less than two years the
Rangers came back to their ole
quarters, and were informed of the
melancholy change in their ole
comrade.
"No 20 near-no touch .sahib; he
strike very hard" said the mahout
che kill"
"Why, Jock, my boy" said 6
young officer, formerly one of hi'
special friends, "what's the matter?'
The animal pricked up his ears, and
instantly recognized his voice, which
was proved by his manifesting I'm.
mistakable signs and sounds of joy.
1t was quite affecting to see, wher
he was once more permitted to repair
to the parade ground, with wha
kindly recognition he embraced many
of his companions, placing his trunk
tenderly on their necks and shoulders
l need hardly say he was at once
reinstated in his old regimental post
he duties of which he recommended