88 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
capacity to learn, and in its passive demeanour, 
until directed by the mahout’s commands. 
Nothing can positively determine the character 
of any elephant; every animal, I believe, varies more 
or less in courage according to its state of health, 
which must influence the nervous system. The 
most courageous man may, if weakened by sickness, 
be disgusted with himself by starting at an unex¬ 
pected sound,—although upon ordinary occasions 
he would not be affected. Animals cannot describe 
their feelings, and they may sometimes feel “ out 
of sorts ” without being actually ill, but the nervous 
system may be unstrung. 
I once saw a ridiculous example of sudden panic 
in an otherwise most dependable elephant. This 
was a large male belonging to the Government, 
which had been lent to me for a few months, and 
was thoroughly staunch when opposed to a charging 
tiger; in fact, I believe that Moolah Bux was 
afraid of nothing, and he was the best shikar ele- , 
phant I have ever ridden. One day we were driving 
a rocky hill for a tiger that was supposed to be con¬ 
cealed somewhere among the high grass and broken 
boulders, and, as the line of beaters was advancing, 
I backed the elephant into some thick jungle, which 
commanded an open but narrow glade at the foot 
of the low hill. Only the face of the elephant was 
exposed, and as this was grayish brown, something 
similar to the colour of the leafless bushes, we were 
hardly noticeable to anything that might break covert. 
The elephant thoroughly understood the work in 
