58 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



remarkable one than an occurrence that took place during my 

 residence at Jaulnah. 



A commandant of one of the battalions of native infantry 

 then stationed there possessed an elephant of large size and 

 extreme docility. When on a march, and carrying heavy 

 burdens, or on a shooting or other excursion, nothing could 

 be more obedient or even-tempered than the animal in 

 question; and when picketed at his quarters he would permit 

 little children to play with him and tease him in a variety of 

 ways, lift them up with his trunk upon his back, and place 

 them again in safety upon the ground with the greatest care 

 and tenderness. 



Every one who has been in India knows that an elephant 

 on occasions of state or ceremony has two attendants attached 

 to his person ; one the ' ' mahout," who rides on his neck, and 

 guides his course, and the other in the shape of a sort of 

 running footman, who follows him in a gay dress, and carry- 

 ing a spear, which, in case of extreme sluggishness or ob- 

 stinacy, he uses with more or less severity on the hinder 

 part of the animal. 



The latter personage, it appears, many years previous to 

 my acquaintance either with the elephant or his master, had 

 very wantonly and cruelly abused this privilege, and had 

 been in the habit of pricking his charge with his spear from 

 sheer recklessness, and not without great personal danger to 

 himself, as the elephant, when enraged or excited, is by no 

 means the clumsy animal he appears, but is sometimes very 

 quick in his movements; and, as was the case in this instance, 

 often suddenly turns round upon his tormentor, to the risk 

 and inconvenience of the occupants of the " howdah," or 

 box-seat on his back, and lashed out at him with his trunk. 

 The man had long since been dismissed; indeed, I believe a 

 period of six years had elapsed since his discharge, when he 

 happened, from some cause or other, to visit Jaulnah. 



