CHASING A TIGER ACROSS A RIVER. 6 5
in seeming cxlacy, while the mohouts scnib them with large pieces of pumice,
o r l)riclv. Tl)e erroneous opinion, (hat, elephants have no joints in their legs,
and that, when once rccurahent they could not raise themselves, has long since
lost ground, and given way to ocular demonstration ; as indeed it ought to
have done to common sense. No doubt, then- partiality to standing upright
gave rise to such an absurd hypothesis ; the long snpport of wliich, however,
has been very extniordinaiy, cousidering the remote period to wliicli we can
trace not only our knowledge of the elephant's existence, but also ascertain
t h e numbers in which they wer e employed, particularly in military expeditions.
At present, we know that elephants not only Inive joint s in their legs, but tliat,
c o n s i d e r i n g their bulk, they arc remarkably pl iant : experience teaclies us, llial,
e l e p h a n t s commonly lay down at night like other animals ; and tljal, after
f a t i g u e , they roll and stretch ihemselves, apparently with extreme case, and
oljviously wi t h ineiFahle satisfaction. They cannot, however, roll completely
over ; the high arch of their back bones prohibiting sucli a practice.
E l e p h a n t s swim remarkably well, and in their wild slate cross the largest
r i v e r s ; but when taken, their confidence, and perhaps their powers will be
found to abate ; so much indeed, that in order to convey them across in safety,
i t is frequent l y necessary to erect a substantial platform on a large boat, and
cover it with sand or'earth. But it is not very easy to get them on board.
When swimming they are generally very playful, and appear to enjoy it as a
most agreeable recreation ; they frequently swim or walk for a great distance,
immersed all but jus t the tip of the trunk ; sometimes they disappear allogether
Ibr a ^\ h\k•, occasioning the mohoiit to strike out. In this situation, if he be on
bad terms with his charge, he may expect a hint from the displeased animal,
(such as a pull by the leg, under -water) of the absolute power he possesses of
a n n i h i l a t i n g his oppressor. This has frequently happened; once, indeed, in my
own presence, while crossing with a corps at Benares.
T h o u g h ccrtainly elephants are somewhat resentful, they are by no means
cruel. Instances have happened of their displaying much magnanimity; the
f o l l o w i n g may serve as a proof. A boy of about nine years old, son to a mohout,
used in his father' s absence to teaze the elephant, which for a long time put up
w i t h all his mischievous tricks. One day, however, being extremely provoked,
she seized the young rogue by the middle with her trunk, and curhng it mw
a r d s with the boy in its centre, but without pressure, she drew him gently
against her two teeth, wliich procced from the upper jaw, and in females are
v e r y short , seldom more than six inches long, and bending downwards, the same
as a seal's tusk. Thus she held him ; the boy was so alarmed that he could
not call for assistance ! She, however, saved him thai trouble, by commencing
un hideous roar, which summoned the father, on whose arrival she unfolded
h e r trunk, placing the lad carefully on his legs, by the parent's side.
A whimsical incident look place about twenty five years back, strongly
evincing the recollection elephants carry with them of ill treatment. An oilicer.
who was cpiarter-nuister of a brigade, found it neeilfiil to ])nl a heavier load
t h a n usual on a very large elephant called the Paugul, or fool; but he would
t a k e no more than his usual (juantiim. The (piarter-master, se(-iiig the elephant
r e p e a t e d l y shake olf the loatl, lost all hi.s lemper, and threw a teiil [)in
w i t h violence at his head. Some days after as the elejihanl was going with
o t h e r s from the camp to water, and in his way passed the «piarter-inaster, he
d e l i b e r a t e l y lifted him into a large tamarind tree, which overhung the rcjad,
leaving liim to cling to the bouglis, and to get down as well as he could. I
was once qinirter-master to a detachment of which the same elejihanl and a
small female carried the tents. Unluckily, after the first day' s march, we found
that the latter was rather overladen, and began to gall ; but we couhl not gel
t h e Paugul lo carry one ounce more than his (irsi day's burthen. The feel of
t h e little female, however, becoming very raw, the animal relaxed from his
obstinacy, and generously look as much as eased her, so far thai she could ])n>-
ceed on her journey.
T h e P augìi I was, 1 believe, I he largest ele])lianl ever seen in Bi-ngal. Some
gentlemen who had the opporlunily of measuring him, (which owing to his
whimsical temper could not always be done) declared thai he Avas full twelve
feel two inches at the shoulder. The Nabob of Dacca had one, said to be
e q u a l l y large; but, in my opinion, it was by no means to be com[)ared to ihe
Paugul, which had a most stately ap|)earance, and carrieii his height to the
g r e a t e s t advantage. I cannot say that 1 ever saw any other near the above
size; some lliat were considered very stupendous, and which would make those
exhibited in England, as being len feet high, ap|)ear like dwarfs, did not reach
much beyond that measnre.
T h e appearance of an elephant is, to be sure, far from indicative of a power to
ascend and descend precipices with ease and safely. However, ihey cerlainly
d o make their way up and down, where men and cattle would |)robably encounter
extreme diflicully, and perhaps be compelled to desisi. Where the soil
is loose, elephants do not like to c l imb; as, by its crumbling, ihey might be
subjected to accident. Their mode of descending i.-i s ingul a r , and affords an additional
testimony of that wondrous instinct, which cautions ihem against venturi
n g their weight, at any time, except under proper means of management and
consequent security. When an elephant is a b o u t t o descend a steep, he ])uts forth
his fore legs ; these, preceding him, check the rapidity of his motion, which,
b u t for such a precaution, would be too much accelerated : his hind legs are
collected under him, so that tiie nimp being brought to liie ground, he slides
down upon it in perfect safety, occasionally turning to one side or the olher,
and resisting with his fore feet as may be necessary. Thus whole herds follow
their leader, without apprehension or injury ! I believe no other animal,
t h r o n g h o u l the brute creation, acts with more circumspection, or evinces a more
complete sense of its own nature !
E l e p h a n t s shew much less dread of tigers when in the waler, than when on