THE ELEPHANT. 
237 
drew, when they took them out and returned 
them to the keepers. 
In the East elephants have been employed 
% the native princes to execute summary 
''^engance upon offenders against the law, and 
the victims of their cruelty ; for they will 
trample a criminal to death, break his limbs 
'vith their trunk, or impale him on their tusks, 
according to the orders given to them. Bishop 
Heher relates, that shortly before his arrival 
in India, a mahout had been executed because 
he had ordered his beast by a sign, which was 
instantly obeyed, to kill a woman who had said 
Something to offend him. Williamson testifies 
that elephants, after being some time in train- 
ing, acquire a perfect intelligence regarding 
particular words of command in general use. 
They will answer to their respective names, 
und, uttering a shrill note, somewhat resem- 
hling the sound produced by blowing forcibly 
^uto a shell, resort to their mahouts when 
