The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-21
4 GOOD STORY ABoUr AN ELEPHANT
Old soupramnny's Bir Fiuht - An Elephant
Fishing with Children.

Bon s. Nichols.
In the autumn OF 1876 was living in the
Interior OF Bengal. mud went to spend Christ
ma. with my friend. Major DAILY. The Majors
bungalow was on tho banks OF the Gangcs, near
Cawnporc. He had lived there q good many
yenrs. being Chief 81 the Quartrrmasicr's De-
partment ut That station, and had n great many
nutives. elephants. bullock carts. and soldiers
under his command.
On the morning after my arrival niter cup
Of early tea toftcn taken before daylight in In
olial. | sat smuklpg with my friend ia the yrran-
da OF his bungalOw, looking out upon the wind;
ings Of the sacred river. And, directly, asked
tho Nlulor about his children Ia boy and agirll.
whom had not yet seen. and begged to Know
whom should see them
Soupramany has taken them out fishing"
said their father.
why, isn't soupramany your great war ele-
Exactly so. You cannot have forgotten Soup
ramanyw
had that fight with the elephant who went mad
while loading atranspor with bags OF down
denly began 10 fling the rice into the river. HIS
mnhOut tried to stop him, and he killed the
mahout The native sailors ran away to hide
charged into this enclosure. Old Souprnmany
was here. and so were im and Bessy. When he
saw the mad animal he threw himself between
nurses had just time TO got into the house when
TN. tlght copmeneed;" .o,, c.. ..
hundred years old, He had boon trained to
war, and TO fight with the rhinoceroe. but he was
=" And vet, said |, becoming animated by the
recollec,ions OF that day. what gallant fight
Il was. 20 YOU remember now we az stool on
shot lest we should hit Old Souprnmanv? Do
YOU remember, too. his look when he drew on.
utter ngnting an hour and u half leaving hia
adversary dying in the dust. and kcdstraight
had been badly torn, with his head bruised and
great piece broken from one of his tMsks
" Yes. indeed" said the Major. We'll, since
then he is more devoted TO my dear little ones
tNnf llt fol As Oh a. nlt Ifxa nd
am perfectly content to have them under his
charge. don't like trusting Christian children
to the care Of natives; but with Old Soup l
know they can come TO no harm.
What! YOU trust children undertcn years of
age 70 SOUP without my other proieetiony ,.,h
me. it,yqu doubt. and We will surprise them at
their fishing,
n mile nlong the wooded banks Of the river. We
came upon the little group. The two children-
Jim. the elder. being about lO-bcth sat still and
! silent. for wonder. each holding n rod. with
| line. cork. hook. and bat. anXiOusly watching
| the gay corSs hobhing IN the water Beside
bamboo rod In his trunk. With line hook. bait,
and cork. Ike the childrens, need not say 1
took smHl notice Of the children. but turned all
my attention TO their big companion; had not
| watched him long before he had II bite for. as
the religion Of the Hndoo. lorpids them to take
| LIE. the river swdrms with fishes 1890
The old fellow did not str; his little eyes
Watched .is inc sagfry ne wa, no t nn' !, wa IA
| time To draw in his prize.
| At the end OF his line. as he drew ii up. was
! dangling one Of those golden tench 30 abundant
| an the Gangcs.
When soupramany perceived what fine fish
] lac had caught. lie uttered one Of those long
/ low. gurglng notes OF satisfaction 10y which an
/ elephant expresses Joy; ana he waited pa
tently. expecting j I'M t. take his prize oil the
hook anu put on some more lnit for him.. But
jim. IN" littlr rascal. sometimes iikcl To ilague
Old Soup. lie nodded ~ Us. rs mu IA ~ to say.
/ Look ont. and you'll s"e fun now Then ~
/ took of the H-h. which hr threw into "a water
Jar placed there for the puri O--. and went ha X
/ To- his place without putting any lat on Old
/ soups hook. The intelligent animal did not
attempt to throw his line into the water. lie
] tried to NOV" Jim by low. plea ing cries II WIS
I curious To see what tender tones he seemed 10
/ try 10 give his voice.
Se,ing that Jim paid no attention TO his calls
! hut sat ana laughed us he handl a his own line.
/ Old Soup went W. 10 him. and with his truuS
! bait box. II last, when ne found thai all he
/ could do would not induce his Wliul friend TO
] h..p him. he turned round rs ~ struck 10y sud-
/ cen thought. and. snutching NJ IN lns trunk
1 tue box that nrd the bait. came and lald IL
/ down NJ the Majors feet; then picking UP his
rod, ne held 1t out 10 his master.
What do you want mo 70 do with this. Old
| Soup" sad the MAJOR.
The creature lifted one great foot after the
| other. and again began b. uitor his plaintiv-
| cry. Out OF mischief. | took Jimmy's lHrr. and.
B picsi INK up the halt-hoN. pretended 70 run with
| II. The elephant WIS not gong to hr teased 10y
/ mo. n" dipprd Ms trunk into lie GAM ss. and
ia an instant s4uirtni a stream of water over
me with all the force AMI precision Of a fire.
engine. 10 the immense amusement VI the chill
drcu.
The Major Mt once made Soup 4 sign 70 stop.
and. To make my peace with the fine old fellow.
. haited his hook myself. OuiverluE WIZ. luy,
A. bahy does when il gets hold 90 last OF n
p!aythinX some one has taken from II. Oh Sou
J. praruAny Hardly paused 10 thsuh ne by a soft
n1tr Of JOY for batting lis lin" for MN. before
Ing ms CORK as II treInhled in the rlpples oi the
/ river.