174 LECTUBE XIII. 



take him away," was the king's order. It was 

 communicated to her. The elephant knelt at 

 her command ; she mounted, and Malleer gave 

 her, first, the carcass of her husband, and then 

 her son. She sat upon his neck, in her hus- 

 band's place, and led him quietly away. From 

 that day she was his keeper or mahout. He 

 would have no other. When most excited and 

 most savage she had but to command and he 

 obeyed. The touch of her hand on his trunk 

 was enough to calm his most violent outbursts 

 of temper. She could lead him without fear or 

 danger herself, and the authority which she thus 

 possessed her son would, doubtless, retain after 

 her. 



This is a true and interesting anecdote, written 

 by an English gentleman who was present on 

 the occasion, and it serves to show how a sudden 

 ebullition of passion was repaired, as far as it 

 could be, by the kindly feelings and affection of 

 a sensitive animal, evidently aware that he had 

 committed a great fault. 



You may have heard a good deal lately about 

 that extraordinary animal, the gorilla, and of 

 M. Du Chaillu, who has brought several skins 

 of it to this country, which I have seen. From 



