Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-05-20
A Steam Elephant.

First, and apparently drawing the
r caravan, came n gigantic elephant. The
monstrous animal, twenty feet in height,
and thirty in length, advanced deliper
ately, steadily, ami with certain mys-
terry of movement which struck the
gaze: with thrill Of awe. His trunk,
curved like II coruucnpia, was uplifted
high in the air. His gilied tusks,
projecting from behind the massive
Jaws, resembled pair of huge scythes
On his back was highly-ornamente,l
howdah, which looked like tower sur.
mounted, in Indian style, by dome.
shaped roof aul furnished with lens
shaped glasses to serve for wiuIows.
This elephant drew after him train
consisting uf two enormous cars, or
actual houses, moving bungalows in
fact each mounted on four wheels.
The wheels, which were prodigiously
strong, we're carved. or rather sculp
tured, i'll every part. Their lowest
portion only could be seen, AZ they
moved inside sort of case. like pad
dle.box, which concealed the enormous
locomotive apparatus. A flexible gang
way connected the two Carriages.
How could II single elephant, however
strong, manage to drag these two enor
nous constructions, without any APP
parent effort? Yet this astonishing
animal did so! His huge feet were
raised aud set down with mechanical
regularity. and he changed his pace
from walk to trot, without either the
voice or u hand of a mahout being APP
parent.
The spectators we're at first SO aston
ishel by all this that they kept at a
respectable distance; but when they
ventured nearer, their surprise gave
place to- admiration.
They could hear roar, very similar
to the cry uttered by these giants of the
Indian forests. Moreover, at intervals
there issued from the trunk Jet of
vapor.
And yet it was an elephant!
Tho rugged, 8reeny- black skin evil
IDENTIFY covered the bony framework of
one that must be called the king of the
paclyderms. His eyes were life like
all his members were endowed with
movement!
Ay! But if some inquisitive person
had CHANGED to lay his hand on the
animal all would have been explained
1t was but marvellous deception, n
gigantic imitation, having as nearly as
possible every appearance of life.
In fact, this elephant was really en-
cased in steel, and an actual steam
engine was concealed within it's sides.
The train, or steam house, to give it
its most suitable name, was the travelling
dwelling promised by the engineer.
The first carriage, or rather house,
was the habitation of Col. Munro, Capt
Hood, Banks and myself.
In the seoond lodged Sergt. Mcneil
and the servants of the expedition.
Banks had kept his promise. Col
Munro had kept his; and that WAS the
reason why, on this May morning, We
were setting out in this extraordinary
vehicle, with the intention of visiting
the northern regions of the Indian
peninsula.
But what was the good of this arti-
fetal elephant? Why have this fanci-
full apparatus, so unlike the usual prsc.
teal inventions OF the English ? Till
then, no one had ever thought Of giving
to locomotive destined to travel either
over macadam highways or iron rails,
the shape and form of quadruped.
must say, the first time We were ad
mitted to view the machine we were all
lost in amazement. Questions about
the why and wherefore fell thick and
fast upon our friend Banks. We knew
that THIS traction engine had been con.
st.ucted from tho plans aud under his
aireotions.- jules Verne.