The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-07-08

Advsnturss N Brasil.
An indianapolis (Ind.) special dis
patch to the Chicago Times, tells the
following romantic story:
"Stanford Morris, OF this city, has
Just received from his son, Ernest Nor
ris, the boy naturalist, now seeking
fame and specimens in Brazil, q letter
which tells the most romantic tale of
his good fortune in quite different
field. Nearly two years ago, young
Morris, enthusiastic in natural history,
and only eighteen years of age, left In
dianapolis, struck the Ohio, and reached
New Orleans by a skiff voyage. and
thence sailed for Para, in Brazil, intend
ing to ascend the Amazon, and collect
specimens in the wild and unknown
South American forests. Reports OF his
explorations have been received and
published from time to time, as he
reached points of communication along
the route. He has assembled to the
fountains of the Amazon in Ecuador,
hundreds of miles beyond the point
reached by the naturalist Bates, sent
out some years ago by the British
Government, and furnished with I'M
limited means. Accounts of his won
derful adventures and successful career
as lover of science, having reached
the ears of the Smithsonian Institute,
and various scientific associations in
New York and Philadelphia, he has
been engaged to deliver lectures on his
return, and an Eastern publishing
house will launch his journal in book
form.
"He writes to his family here, relat-
ing the grandest adventures yet. The
story is as follows, and reads like a
chapter from the Arabian Nights:
While encamped one evening on the
banks of the Amazon, near Santarm,
below Villa Franco, furious storm
arose. While preparing shelter with
palms, he saw young Indian maiden
on the stream in light canoe, and try
ing to make the shore before the storm
came on. She was not equal to the
task, and Morris, noticing that she was
being drawn slowly toward the power
full current, swan boldly ont to her res
cue, at great peril to himself, and
pushed the canoe safely to the shore.
Her gratitude took the shape of an in
vitation to conduct her home. The
young hero accepted, and, after weary
tramp, and some sharpsliooting at wild
beasts on the way, returned to her
home, only to find, to his surprise, that
her father was native chief of pow
erful Brazilian tribe, and owned title
deeds to the vast region lying between
the river Amazon and the Sierra Acary
range of mountains, and that the girl
was his only child. The old chief over
whelmed him with kindness and gifts,
has taken him into the family, and now
offers him the hand of Miss Princess,
who is extremely beautiful, and wears a
diamond-studded girdle that would ran.
som king. He promises Morris count
less treasures from his diamond-beds
and gold fields, and the help of his
whole tribe in collecting specimens; but
his pride is pitched in o royal key, and
before marriage can take place, he in
sists that the son of science shall take
the Indian beauty to his American
home as sister. and obtain the consent
of his parents to the match. The father
runs q ten-by-twelve lamp store here,
and, though he cautioned Ernest not to
get mixed up with any of those girls
down there, he shows disposition to
favor this diamond future for his son."
The SAGAC1TY OF ELEPHANTs.-The
services rendered by elephants to the
English army during the Abyssinian ex-
petition have suggested an article in
the " Rerwes DIES Deur MomCes, by NJ.
Guidoz on the use of these animals in
warfare. Such an elephant as that de-
soribed by Major Skinner, whose narra-
tive is quoted by NJ. Guidoz, would be q
valuable auxiliary at any time. Accord
ing to this account, the major was rid
ing in forest near Handy, when he
heard q muffled sound of ourmph,
ourmph, the peculiar cry Of the ele-
plant, and soon came upon q tame ami
NAL of this species, who, being left to
himself, had undertaken to carry away
a large beam, which he carried across
his tusks, progressing, however, but
slowly, owing to the narrow limits of
the path which forced him to turn his
head first on one side, then on the other,
uttering ourmphs of vexation. Seeing
the major approach, he threw down his
load, and stood aside to let the man and
horse pass. The majors steed trembled
in every limb, when the sagacious beast,
noticing his terror. backed still further
into the Jungle, uttering his ourmph in
q gentle and encouraging tone and as
soon as the horse had summoned up
courage to proceed, he reappeared, took
up the beam once more, and resumed
his arduous undertaking. It seems al
most sacrilege to contemplate employ
ing animals SO considerate and reason.
able in the questionable operations Of
man against man.