350 THE ELEPHANT. 



cause, and that its master appears pleased with 

 its exertions. 



The elephant's conductor is usually mounted 

 upon its neck, and makes use of a rod of iron to 

 guide it, which is sometimes pointed, and at 

 others bent into a hook. With this the animal 

 is spurred forward, when dull or disobedient ; 

 but, in general, a word is sufficient to put the 

 gentle creature into motion, especially when it 

 is acquainted with its conductor. This acquain- 

 tance is often perfectly necessary ; for the ele- 

 phant frequently takes such an affection to its 

 keeper, that it will obey no other ; and it has 

 been known to die for grief, when in some sud- 

 den fit of madness it has killed its conductor. 

 We are told that one of these, that was used by 

 the French forces in India for the drawing their 

 cannon, was promised by the conductor a re- 

 ward for having performed some painful service ; 

 but being disappointed of its expectations, it slew 

 him in a fury. The conductor's wife, who was 

 a spectator of this shocking scene, could not re- 

 strain her madness and despair ; but running with 

 her two children in her arms, threw them at the 

 elephant's feet, crying out, that since it had kill- 

 ed her husband, it might kill her and her children 

 also. The elephant seeing the children at his 

 feet, instantly stopped, and moderating its fury, 

 took up the eldest with its trunk, and placing 

 him upon its neck, adopted him for its conduc- 

 tor, and obeyed him ever after with great punc- 

 tuality. 



