ii4 The Life of an Elephant 



classed as a staunch shooting elephant, and 

 was almost expected to do the impossible as 

 well as the possible. He found it natural 

 to defend himself, and even to act on the 

 offensive if he were in danger from man or 

 beast ; in such cases his courage and quick 

 temper lent a zest to combat. But it was a 

 different matter when in cold blood to advance 

 upon a concealed tiger, savage with his wounds 

 and awaiting only a favourable opportunity to 

 tear and destroy. On these occasions he did 

 advance, but it was only by order of his mahout 

 or rider, to whom, through affection, he had given 

 obedience ; and often he obeyed in spite of the 

 refusal and even ignominious flight of others of 

 his tribe, whose courage was not so high or 

 training so efficacious, thereby proving that even 

 the tendency, so marked in most animals, to 

 follow a lead, had been overcome in his case. 

 But what appeared to be most difficult to this 

 elephant was, that he was permitted no partici- 

 pation in the combat that so frequently followed. 

 He could have understood if, when the tiger 

 charged, he too might charge and slay his 



