The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-03-18
Anecdotes OF Elephants.

Children are always delighted with
stories of elephants, and here are some
remarkable ones, all authentic.
In the Lakanor, the capitol of Soubah,
during the rage of an epidemic distem-
per. the principal road to the palace gate
was covered with sick and dying people,
extended on the ground and incapable of
moving. though at a time when the
Nabob was to pass on his elephant The
indifference of the prince about the lives
of his perishing subjects, the haste with
which he sought to pass, and the tower
ing motions and heavy steps of the ele-
phant, seemed to threaten inevitable
death to those unhappy wretches who
chanced to be in his way. But the gen.
erous quadruped, without receiving any
command to the purpose, and even with
out slackening his Iace, dexterousiy as
sisted the poor creatures with his trunk,
removing some, raising others, and
stepping over the rest; so that none suf-
fered the slightest injury.
An elephant which in the course of the
war between the French and English in
the East Indies, in 1853, had received a
wound by canon ball after having been
conducted once or twice to the hospital,
to have his wound dressed. constantly
attended to 1t himself at the proper time,
till il was healed. That the surgeons
might readily operate, he extended him.
self on the ground. He bore with pa
tience the application of burning caustic
to his wound. The acuteness of the pain
would sometimes force from him plain
tive groan; but to the person, who by
infiicting momentary torture, sought to
accomplish his cure, he expressed none
but emotions of pleasure.
A shot from one of the hunters had
broken male elephants fore leg, which
completely disabled him from running.
On this occasion there occurred touch
ing instance of affection and sagacity in
the elephant, which will illustrate the
character of this noble animal Seeing
the danger ami distress of her mate, the
female, regardless of her own peril,
Quilted her shelter in the bush, rushed
out to his assistance, walked round and
round him, chasing away the assailants,
and still returned to his side and
caressed him; and when he attempted to
walk she placed her flank under his side
and supported him. The same continued
nearly half an hour, until the female ele-
phant received a severe wound, which
drove her again to the bush, where she
speedily sank exhausted from the loss of
blood; and the male soon after received
a mortal wound.
Carel Krieger, celebrated elephant
hunter, met with his death in the follow
ing manner: He had been an indefati-
gable and fearless hunter; and being also
an excellent marksman, often yentured
into the most dangerous situations. One
day, having with his party pursued an
elephant which he had wounded, the
irritated animal suddenly turned around,
and singing out from the rest the per-
son bJ whom he had been wounded,
seized him with his trunk, and lifting
his wretched victim high in the air,
dashed him with fearful force to the
ground. His companions, struck with
horror, fled preciL itately from the fatal
scene, unable to turn their eyes to be-
hold the rest of the tragedy. But on the
following day they repaired to the spot,
where they collected the few bones that
could be found, and buried them near
the spring. The enraged animal had not
only trampled his body literally to pieces,
but could not feel its vengence satisfied
till it had pounded the very flesh into the
dust, SO that nothing remained of the un-
fortunate man excepting a few of the
larger bones.
When an elephant is employed upon
the banks of muddy river, he frequently
begins to sink from his excessive weight.
He will then endeavor to throw himself
upon his side to prevent his sinking
deeper. The manner In which he Sec
onds the efforts which are made to extri-
cate him, when situated as above stated,
is very remarkable. Liberal supplies of
straw, boughs and grass are thrown to
the distressed animal; and these he
forces down with his trunk till they are
lodged under his fore feet in sufficient
quantity to resist his pressure. Having
formed sufficient basis for exertior,
the sagacious animal next proceeds to
thrust the bundles under his belly, and
as far back under his fanks as he can
reach; when such basis is formed as
may be in his mind, proper to proceed
upon, be throws his whole weight for
ward and gets his hind feet gradually upon
the straw. Being once confirmed on a
solid footing, he will next place the sur
rounding bundles before him; pressing
them we'll with his trunk so as to form a
causeway by which to reach the firm
ground. The instinct of the animal and
probably the experience of his past dan
ger, actuates him lot to bear any weight
definitely, until, by trial with his trunk
and the next foot to be planted, he has
satisfied himself of the frmness of the
ground he has to tread upon. When
he succeeds in rerching dry
ground, he evinces his pleasure in un-
mistakable signs.