CHAPTER IX. 



A FEW ELEPHANT STOKIES. 



E have seen one side of the elephant's nature in 

 his wild state, but it is only fair to remember 

 his gentleness and friendliness in captivity, 

 which is really voluntary, because he might with a blow 

 of his trunk annihilate his keepers and escape to his 

 native jungle. In his long life he often changes his 

 master, but his allegiance goes too ; and he is devoted to 

 each, and figures alike as porter, wood-cutter, errand-boy, 

 hunter, gladiator in fights with tigers, and artillery-man. 

 I have seen, in India, elephants let out by their owners 

 as choppers, working like day-laborers and returning at 

 night to sleep at home, — that is, at their master's. These 

 intelligent animals, armed with long axes, the use of 

 which they have been taught, cut, at otherwise perfectly 

 impracticable heights, the gigantic trees which are used 

 in the keels of vessels, carry them to the nearest port, and 

 deliver them to other elephants to pile, — a feat which 

 they accomplish with the greatest regularity and with a 

 strengtli that no number of men can equal. They work 

 alone, too, without any special oversight on the part of 

 the keeper, who often comes but once a day to note their 



