St. Landry democrat., 1888-07-07

"ughly exhausted and swore Vengeance
against the depredators when he had
succeeded in having them caught. He
the next night did what he had never
done before, that is, admitted native
watchmen into his cherished garden.
They received strict injunctlons to take
the offenders, whoever they might be,
alive, and to awaken him at once and
report who the daring thieves We're.
All this time no one suspected the baby
elephant. He was securely barred in
his stable every night, and the next
morning, when his youthful attendant
and future mahout went to take him to
his paddock, every thing was found in
its place, seemingly undisturbed.
At late hour in the night the COM
missioner was awakened by his Mad
rassee butler, who informed him, with
much gravity, that the thief was dis
covered, but that they had not captured
him, desiring the Bhayah himself to
come and see him. The commissioner
quickly donued his garments and went
out to the garden. The moon was
shining brightly, and there was thefore
plenty of light. At the gate he met a
Waterman who asked him to follow him
as noiselessly as he could. They proceed
ed down one of the paths until the watch
man stopped and whispered: ''Look,
thaken." There was master elephant
RECALLING himself On the commissioners
choice fruit, selecting the best and
throwing down any he did not fancy.
The commissioners anger vanished
when he perceived who the depredator
was. He, however, decided to wait
and follow the youngster when he had
satiated himself, and see how he had
managed to break out of his stable.
After awhile the elephant thought it
time to retire and returned towards his
stable. The commissioner followed
cautiously and was surprised when he
saw the ingenuity of the animal. The
young elephant entered the stable and
pushed the door to with his trunk;
then the side of the roof was seen to be
lifted up and the elephants head ap-
peared just above the door. Out came
the trunk and reached down to the
heavy bar, caught hold of it and push
ed it into it's place through the iron
staples; then the roof was lowered and
all was in good order.
On examination of the interior of the
stable in the morning it was found that
the animal had united the bamboo
strips with which the rafters were
fastened to the plates in the simple
Burmese architectural style. The
roof was thus easily lifted, allowing
the animal to project his trunk and
reach the outer bar. If this was not
sense, | do not know by what name to
call it. Reasoning power had to be ex-
ercised first to think out way to get at
the fruit he had observed to be growing
in the garden as he was led out and
back every morning and evening. His
''boyish" mouth had watered for taste
of stolen fruit, SO sweet to youth. Then
he thought of lifting the rafters, of UNI
tying the fastening, and SO reaching
the bar he had noticed was on the out
side of the door. All this required act
ual thought and intelligence far be-
yond what is commonly called the in
stinct of animals.
I often watched an elephants motions
before he would cross native bridge
over river. He is most cautious;
puts one foot down gently and presses
on the planEs to see that all is safe and
firm before he will venture upon them.
When perfectly satisfied of the safety
of the structure, and not until then, he
will walk over to the other side. Other
elephants who may be in company will
stop and attentively watch the proceed
ings of the leader. When all is right
they follow him without hesitation
They are not without warrant for their
caution, for these native bridges are
often very rickety structures, and saw
many of them come to grief during my
of them.
Elephants are sometimes described
as running, but it is. contrary to their
habits to do SO; they invariably walk
The only time l know of their going at
a faster rate is when wild elephant is
hard-pressed by shekarries. Especial
ly if slightly wounded he will suddenly
turn and rush at his assailants, select
one and try to catch him. This is
termed charging. Should he reach
the unfortunate hunter, the elephant
would seize him around the body with
his flexible trunk, whirl him to the
earth, and tread him into a bloody
mass of flesh.
Elephants were kept by the Kings of
Burmah as executioners. When crimi-
mails condemned to die for treason
often innocent persons who were
wealthy and the monarch desired their |
treasures for himself were brought |
out of prison to make public specta-
Gle for the populace, and SO strike ter
ror to the hearts of the Kings enemies,
they were executed by these elephants.
Each one would catch hold of con-
demned man by the neck with his
trunk, lift him off the ground, give a |
sudden jerk like Ticking a whip, then
tread him to jelly beneath his great |
q Il