ELEPHANT. 147 
and family therefore were sold for slaves, and he 
was himself condemned to work upon the roads. 
About twelve years afterwards, this man was ordered 
up into the country to assist in catching the wild 
elephants. The keeper fancied he saw his long- 
lost elephant in a group that was before them. He 
was determined to go up to it ; nor could the 
strongest representations of the great danger dis- 
suade him from his purpose. When he approach- 
ed the creature, she knew him ; and giving him 
three salutes by 'waving her trunk in the air, knelt 
down and received him on her back. She after- 
wards assisted in securing the other elephants, and 
likewise brought with her three young ones, which 
she had produced during her absence. The keeper 
recovered his character ; and as a recompence 
for his sufferings and intrepidity, had an annuity 
settled on him for life. This elephant was after- 
wards in the possession of governor Hastings/' 
These and several other instances that have oc- 
curred, clearly evince, that elephants have not the 
sagacity to avoid a snare into which they have, 
even more than once, fallen. 
-The elephant, when once tamed, becomes the 
most gentle and obedient of all animals. It soon 
conceives an attachment for the person that at- 
tends it; caresses him, obeys him, and seems to 
anticipate his desires. In A short time it begins 
to comprehend several of the signs made to it, 
and even the different sounds of the voice ; it 
perfectly distinguishes the tone of command frorti 
that of anger or approbation, and it acts accord- 
ingly. It is seldom deceived in its master's 
voice ; it receives his orders with attention, and 
executes them with prudence, eagerly, yet with- 
out precipitation. All its motions are regulated; 
and its actions seem to partake of its magnitude ; 
being; grave, majestic, ami secure, It is quickly 
