The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-05-16

row in the ranks, OccasiOned by this
sort of thing and only stopped by the
officer in command shouting "Atten-
tion." There was one battery in India
of which l took particular notice, as l
lay in the same station with it for
long time; in fact, l became just as
we'll acquainted with the men and
elephants as if l really belonged to the
battery. 1t was known as the First
Battery of the First Brigade of gar
rison artillery. We were stationed at
Campbellpore, near Rowal Pindi Ben
gal. On one occasion noticed. as the
battery fell in as usual for morning
parade, scuffle in the center between
two elephants, originating by No. 9
elephant forming up on the right hand
side of No. 8 elephant. No. 8 objected
to this, and by refining back out of the
ranks and pushing forward again
jammed in between No. and No. Z,
being particular to knock as roughly
against No. 9 as possible. No. 9 gun
ner was angry and not easily pacitied.
He said No. gunner did it himself,
and not the elephant. The consequence
was fierce fight.
No. proved more than match for
No. s and kept hitting him unmerciful-
ly. when No. Z elephant, who had
fingered behind the other elephants,
apparently suspecting mischief, ran to
the rescue, and, picking No. 8 gunner
up with his trunk, threw him up into
the air. He was afterward found in
an unconscious condition and revived
with difficulty, though practically un-
: hurt. No. 8 elephant was brought as a
prisoner to orderly room and charged
with violent assault. 1t is a fact that
in India elephants are tried and pun
; ished by reducing their diet: by terms
of Imprisonment or fiogging, all ac-
cording to the merit of the crime.
On certain occasion there was an
afternoon parade. 1t happened to be
pay day, and, as the canteen had been
n open all day, some of the men were a
little late in turning out, but the one
that seemed more troubled than any
body else was No. 5 elephant, who
moved about searching for his absent
rider. The elephant continually turned
e his little eye in the direction of the
t. canteen, and was presently rewarded
n by seeing his worthy master come run
y ming from there with very unsteady
IS steps. but when within few feet of the
ii parade ground the unfortunate gun
r. ner fell flat on the ground, and, though
e struggling hard to get up, appeared
1t utterly incapable of doing so. His
~ friend, the elephant, took the position
t. in at a glance. In three strides he wa
ID at the gunner's side, and, picking hin
n up gently with his trunk and placin!
N him in his correct position on his head
to formed up in his proper place on pa
I'd rade, with Burke, the gunner sitting
Or to attention as if nothing unusual ha
rt happened. During that afternoon Nc
IN elephant went through every move
n. ment. including the march past. with
or out a single mistake, although hi
H. rider was practically incapable Q
ne guiding him. The following mornin
IS. the lieutanant temporarily in charg
y. of the battery sent for Gunner Burk
re and addressed him as follows: "Gul
h ner Burke, do not run away with tn
a idea that l did not notice your drunke
ry condition on parade yesterday. b
vo right should have had you confine
We to the guardroom, but my reasons II
De- not doing so were simply because
knew you to be clean and in ever
ut respect, except being too partial to bee
en- good soldier. The noble act pc
or formed by your elephant showed tn
he you were kind to it, and further, shou
ng have had you put in the guardrool
cir the elephant might possibly ha7
est thought it had done wrong in lifti1
srs you up, and perhaps at another tim
ze. where it might be really the means
or saving your life by so doing, t
of elephant might let you lie to die. Ju
aid try and keep sober on the next aftt
ay. noon parade"
Jus Shortly after this 1 happened to