f,2 WILD I1KAST8 AND TIIKIK WAYS CHAP. 



its natural intelligence, and volunteering all manner of gigantic 

 performances in the hope that they would be appreciated by its 

 rider, it would be unbearable ; the value of the animal consists in 

 its capacity to learn, and in its passive demeanour, until directed 

 by the mahout's commands. 



Nothing can positively determine the character of any elephant ; 

 every animal, I believe, varies more or less in courage according to 

 its state of health, which must influence the nervous system. The 

 most courageous man may, if weakened by sickness, be disgusted 

 with himself by starting at an unexpected sound, although upon 

 ordinary occasions he would not be affected. Animals cannot 

 describe their feelings, and they may sometimes feel " out of sorts " 

 without being actually ill, but the nervous system may be unstrung. 



I once saw a ridiculous example of sudden panic in an otherwise 

 most dependable elephant. This was a large male belonging to 

 the Government, which had been lent to me for a few months, and 

 was thoroughly staunch when opposed to a charging tiger ; in fact, 

 I believe that Moolah Bux was afraid of nothing, and he was the 

 best shikar elephant I have ever ridden. One day we were driving 

 a rocky hill for a tiger that was supposed to be concealed somewhere 

 among the high grass and broken boulders, and, as the line of 

 beaters was advancing, I backed the elephant into some thick 

 jungle, which commanded an open but narrow glade at the foot of 

 the low hill. Only the face of the elephant was exposed, and as 

 this was grayish brown, something similar to the colour of the 

 leafless bushes, we were hardly noticeable to anything that might 

 break covert. 



The elephant thoroughly understood the work in hand ; and as 

 the loud yells and shouts of the beaters became nearer, Moolah 

 Bux pricked his ears and kept a vigilant look-out. Suddenly a 

 hare emerged about 100 yards distant; without observing our 

 well-concealed position it raced at full speed directly towards us, 

 and in a few seconds it ran almost between the elephant's legs as 

 it made for the protection of the jungle. The mighty Moolah 

 Bux fairly bolted with a sudden terror as this harmless and tiny 

 creature dashed beneath him, and although he recovered himself 

 after five or six yards, nevertheless for the moment the monster was 

 scared almost by a mouse. 



It is this uncertainty of character that lias rendered the 

 elephant useless for military purposes in the field since the intro- 

 duction of firearms. In olden times there can be no doubt that a 

 grand array of elephantine cavalry, with towers containing archers 

 on their backs, would have been an important factor when in line 



