Chap. III.] 
THE ELEPHANT. 
135 
ordinary ability ; but when danger and apprehension call 
for the exertion of its powers, those who have witnessed 
their display are seldom inclined to undervalue its sa- 
gacity. 
Mr. Ceipps has related to me an instance in which a 
recently captured elephant was either rendered senseless 
from fear, or, as the native attendants asserted, feigned 
death in order to regain its freedom. It was led from 
the corral as usual between two tame ones, and had al- 
ready proceeded far towards its destination; when 
night closing in, and the torches being lighted, it re- 
fused to go on, and finally sank to the ground, appar- 
ently lifeless. Mr. Ceipps ordered the fastenings to be 
removed from its legs, and when all attempts to raise it 
had failed, so convinced was he that it was dead, that he 
ordered the ropes to be taken off and the carcase aband- 
oned. While this was being done he and a gentleman 
by whom he was accompanied leaned against the body 
to rest. They had scarcely taken their departure and 
proceeded a few yards, when, to their astonishment, the 
elephant rose with the utmost alacrity, and fled towards 
the jungle, screaming at the top of its voice, its cries 
being audible long after it had disappeared iD the shades 
of the forest. 
K 4 
