The National tribune., 1898-01-13

rot even say that corporation is charac-
teristic OF the more elevated forms in
nature. No herd OF elephants serve them
selves or a d each offer, like {. community
OF ants. Ii ali aniihals OF high organic
grace had been abE,,tp combine against
enemies in the sarrfg Way that bees and
horEets 90, many great species would not
now be extinct.
Elephants inipose sipori :. ma nlfnd by
superior size. Their ability in the all-im
Iostaht province OF self-preservation is
greatly exceeded by that Of numerous forms
Inc ON par;ibIy less than they in stature,
strength and relative mass OF brain. No
beng except man mpleStS them; vet for
ages he has done so without these creatures
having found out the simplest Of his de
structIye devices. 1t is safe to saw that
not a deer or wild hog, antelope, wolf, or
bison in Asia could be deceived to any
thing like the same extent, or would ex-
hibit an equal degree Of incompetency when
actually in d faculties.
Nevertheless, to some degree elephants
have learned the necessity for precauton
Their senses of heafing and scent are very
acute, and while stupid and uninyentive
about matterS that it seems incredible
these creatures should fall short in, there
are other affairs concerning which this
spec es displays great intelligence. 1t is,
however, a special kind of faculty, an
ability more noticeable from the facility
evnced in acquisition than any power of
or q Il alton.
An elephant placed in some unexpected
strait is PERHAPS as pitiable spectacle of
helplessness aud irresout on as the world
can show, but it would be hard to say what
he cannot learn under careful instruction.
Furthermore, a brute with 700 times as
much brain man, must be able to do
something of its own accord.
One night-one of those dreadful nights
during the hot season in Upper India-Col.
Julius Barras saw his big shikar tusiker
commit petty larceny in a way that was
very clever. Restless from heat, he was
ding about aimIessly, and by chance
approached the elephant lines. Here his
great tiger hunter stood under a tree, loom
ing vast through the murky air.
Seeing at once that some unusual Occu-
patton engaged this giants attention, and
knowing his tricks (Which occasionally ex-
hibIted a tendency towards homIcide) Col.
Barras s. ole forward under cover until near
enough TO witness what was going on.
The elephant was trying to loose h ;mself-
endeavoring to slip his shackle- bolts and
this he finally accompi shed, taking care
to prevent any loud ciashing Of chains.
When free the creature moved silently
to where his mahout lay sleeping, with a
sack prOpping his head, and STOOD over
him. But the Colonel felt satisfied from
what he saw that murder was not about
to be done, and kept quiet. Events fully
justified this conclusion. Nothing could
have teen further from the elephant S
thoughts than violent measures.
1t was that sack OF rice his driver used
for a pillow he was after, and to gain pos
session OF it skill, not rforce,z needed to be
employed. SO the colossus stood there for
a me, apparent y srefecting, and then
| began very care ully TO withdraw the bag,
gradual 81 pping one OF his immense feet
into its place as it came away.
This manuVeF SucreeNcd DerFectly. His
mahout slept on, ni,3 he got the grain
which was Immediately de CURED. More
over, after fin sh ngJft the bag was rolled
up and deity repiared in a like manner
with that b. which Il had been distracted
Then off went the elephant, probably to
look for more. oiF~
VIII n browsing herd suddenly finds it
self in the presence. OF enemies-human
Goes, Of course, snfe elephants have no
othe s-what follows seems To derend en-
TREY upon chance; pr. f there is anything
like rule to go by 1t Is that the larger
their numbers the greater viii be that panic
that enSueS yfb9l
Generally, however, sthe herd scurres
away as best it can, max ing frightful din:
but not always. Imagine a different situa-
lonesome hunting party IN the depths of
an Indian forest, with three or four ele-
phants-a bull and his cOws-close at
hand.
Trackers glide silently on their trail,
seeming to guide themselves by scent as
well as sight, wonderful is that SIX II
exhibited n following spoor, which to any
senses less keen Woald be constantly lost
Pres ntly, one OF those ghost like forms
moving II cad among shadows hats, throws
up a eark, lean arGl, and the hunter 0his
attendant gun be irers c,ose on either side)
hears 10" ch'ickcin.ck or hiss, telling
that the game his been sighted.
Yet It IS most unlikely he will see it. at
once anyway, for topical forest, deathly
still and fain ly illuminated even at mid
cay, IS moe like an enchanted spot than
any real scene, SO changeful and Elusive
are the effects Of light.