68 Wild Beasts 



to the author's knowledge, has ever done ; namely, turned 

 mahout himself, and drove shikar tuskers against many 

 a tiger. His appreciation of this creature's courage, 

 benevolence, and reliability is very much in accord with 

 that which has been expressed ; but he offers some 

 observations upon vice that should not be overlooked. 

 "One peculiarity of elephants," remarks the Colonel, "is 

 that, when desirous of killing any one, they nearly always 

 select as a victim their own or a rival's attendant." It 

 seems rather strained, however, to speak of this fact as 

 a "peculiarity," since circumstances would naturally bring 

 about such a selection. 



But no provocation need be offered to an elephant in 

 order that he should desire to kill a man. "Sahib," said 

 Mohammed Yakoob, the driver of an immense old tusker, 

 whom Colonel Barras had drawn from the government 

 stables at Baroda, " you see that this elephant is a beast 

 void of religion (be iman), and he hates the English." 



"Dear me," answered the Colonel, "and how does he 

 get on with the natives ? " 



"Oh!" replied the mahout, "much better, but still he 

 is uncertain even with them. He has killed two, and 

 there is but little doubt that he will do for me, his keeper, 

 sooner or later." 



Colonel Barras knew that Futteh Ali, the elephant in 

 question, had never seen him before, and was well aware 

 that it was impossible for this creature to feel offended at 

 any act of his. The colonel's mind was also full of con- 

 ventional ideas concerning elephants, so he disbelieved 

 what the driver told him, and resolved to make friends 



