The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-08-07
uUyTING WITH ELEPHANTS.
Some Peculiaritics OF These Noble
Beasts.

count Of the use of elephants in that
always dangerous sport The ele-
plants used for tiger-shooting are gen.
erally lent by the Government, an Of
fetal document being at the same time
handed to the borrower in which the
height, name, supposed age, and
prices of the animals are duly stated,
for, in the event of a casualty, tho loss
must be made good. More than tlOO
is rarely demanded for Il Government
elephant, although it is very often
worth much more, the tariff being
based on the expenses incurred by its
capture and training.
Of course, it is very important be-
fore making II selection to obtain some
knowledge of the characters anu ante
cedents OF the elephants in the Com
missariat Yard, and if you intend to be
your own driver you must also con-
trive to be on good terms with the one
you choose for your personal use. Ele-
phantine perfection is. it seems. repre-
sented by gentle and steady female,
who viii stand quite still while the
tiger is roaring and charging in all di-
rections; but, as females of this species
are by no means more endowed with
physical courage than other person
ages of their sex. they generally be-
come wild with terror after having cx-
perienccd one mauling. and, far from
remaining tranquil. make the best of
their way from the scene of action
when they find themselves in danger,
so that Mr.. Barras is perhaps justified
in his predilection for cross old tusk-
ers.
BE this as it may, his first choice
foil upon handsome fellow nearly ten
foct high, which had only killed two
people during long career, and that
while incautiously approached during
an attack of fever, and which bore a
high character for gentloness as well
as courage. Though ready to obey
orders. Roghanath had strong OBJ
lection to being made to knecl. SO the
| author, having but little time to spare
for making friends, thought it well ITO
pass vote of confidence ut once,
and, after feoding him with bread and
sugar, proceeded to mount in orthodox
style, namely, by stepping on his tusks
when tho elephant lowered himself by
advancing his front legs. and then al
lowed himself to be transferred by q
toss of the head to his place behind
the ears. This done, MIR. Barras. in
his character of an enlightened Eu-
ropean mahout set forth for his first
ride.
But we must lot him describe this in
his own words: 1.-The native man,
from want of thought, keeps up con-
slant drumming on the boasts head
with the goad Of 'ankus;' therefore
hoped not to use 1t ut all. Such an
Improvements all at once. however,
proved more than even the elephantine
mind could grasp. He began really to
enjoy himself. going his own way
more than mine, till ut last he marched
straight into an immense forest tree OF
the banyan species, and commenced TO
| browse. He seized the boughs above
his head, and, tugging violently AT
them, brought them down on my de
voted skull. This was too mucn.
raised the ankus and brought it down
on his head with blow that brought
blood through the skin. This had the
desired effect, and he at once bundled
off by the road he knew l wanted him
to 90. He merely took with him 9
branch about the size of small apple
tree, TO discuss us he went along
From this moment we were friends
and do not think / ever had to ust
the hook again SO as TO bring blood
generally, it was sufficient to tap hin
with my fingers to get him to do wha
/ wanted"
Ii the male elephant stands ont
mauling he becomes fierce. and vii
charge into any cover where he sup
posed the tiger to he, displaying oi
some occasions mistaken zoal whiel
has been known to produce fatal re
suits, for which reason tuskors are rs
rule not much appreciated. Mr..
Barras, however, rs before remarked.
gave tho preference to good fighter,
land seldom dad reason to repent of his
choice, though on one occasion he had
a narrow escape. Having got into
rather slender tree without the ele-
phant being aware OF it, the latter
probably took him for monkey,
charged fnriously. and. seizing the sap
ling with his trunk, bent it two OF
three times to the ground, but FORUM
ately without breaking the stem. Had
he succeeded in doing so, he would in
his blind rage have probably trampled
his master to death, though when the
mahout succeeded in backing him,
and the author dropped to the ground
and called him by name, Muarak Guj.
he extended his trunk in the most
friendly manner, and hoisted him or
to his head.
A much more terrible danger was III
Cured by tho writer with this same
elephant when. a tigress having sprung
on his head. Miarak. by a mighty
shake, hurled his enemy and his rideI
into the air together, the latter being
deposited unhurt in nest of soft grast
which, happily, concealed him from
the tigress, and out of which, in feal
and trembling, he managed to make
his way toward the approaching lint
of elephants, regaining his SCAT upoI
the hesd of ''Muarak Guj." i secont
time the tigress made similar spring
but this time Mr.. Barras believes tina
'.Muarak' prevented the muscles o
his neck from moving, SO that hi!
rider might not be unseated when ht
flung from him his assailant, the already
wounded tigress being finally mastered
by one of the female elephants, whC
fairly sat down upon hor and nearly
smothercd her in the mud.
Though the author believes tha
there is no limit to the sagaeity ant
power Of these creatures, which h,
ranks next to man in the animal king
dom, and though he deprecates tn
treatment they receive at the hands o
the natives, he OH one occasion so ia
forgot his principles as to tease tn
elephant he was riding by imitatin!
the rosr of tigor, He. however
very nearly met with his death from
the enraged animal, which never after
ward forgot the insult. Elephant
seem to be perfectly able to distinguish
between those who hurt them out o
malice and those who do so for thei
good; thus even n dangerous one sub
mittod with perfect patience to hav
her wounds dressed with brandy an
salt. although the remedy is cx
eessively painful. Ono OF the femal
elephants. 'Manut Dar,'' gave a won
derful example of gentlcness and in
telligence whom, instead of reyengin
herself on tho mahout who had use
the goad with great severity when sh
was making hor escape from a tiger
she simply took it out of his hand
with her trunk at the first opportunity
and threw it over the wall of tho cour