266 
THE ELEPHANT. 
found by the Bushmen, and their chief at the Lake 
became the proprietor of a very fine pair of tusks. 55 
The sagacity of the elephant is proverbial, and 
instances innumerable are on record shewing his 
superior intelligence. The Bushmen, and other 
natives of South Africa, indeed, assert that, should 
one of these animals happen to be engulphed in a 
pit-fall, his companions, not unfrequently, release 
him from the toils. Strange as this story seems, yet 
it is, nevertheless, in a great degree borne out by the 
experiences of trustworthy authorities. 
“ In many instances, during my peregrinations in 
the interior, 55 writes my friend Frederick Green, 
<c have I observed where elephants have tumbled 
into the trap, and succeeded in getting free again. 
In these cases it was quite evident that, had the 
prisoner been left alone, he could not possibly have 
extricated himself. How the others managed to 
liberate him, it is difficult to surmise. But that there 
is a great hubbub amongst them when one unexpect¬ 
edly falls into the abyss is evidenced by the fact that 
the ground about is torn up by their feet in rushing 
to and fro. Traces near the edges of the pit may 
also be observed where those that have come to the 
rescue have stood. The one entrapped also exerts 
himself to the utmost by breaking away the sides, 
or ends, of the pit with his tusks. 55 
cc But at times, 55 my friend goes on to say, cc the 
elephant is precipitated head-foremost into the 
trap, and then all help from his comrades appears 
of no avail. This the latter appear to know, as 
they hurry at once from the scene of the disaster, 
and allow the unfortunate animal to perish. 55 
