n continue on the road in front of the palanquin for a
mile or two, tumbling and playing all sorts of antics, as if they were
taught to do so. I believe it is their natural disposition; for they
certainly are the most amusing creatures imaginable in their wild state.
It is no wonder that with monkeys they are led about to amuse mankind.
It is astonishing, as well as ludicrous, to see them climb rocks, and
tumble or rather roll down precipices. If they are attacked by any
person on horseback, they stand erect on their hind legs, shewing a fine
set of white teeth, and making a cackling kind of noise. If the horse
comes near them, they try to catch him by the legs, and if they miss
him, they tumble over and over several times. They are easily speared by
a person mounted on a horse that is bold enough to go near them.

SAGACITY OF THE ELEPHANT.

An elephant belonging to Mr. Boddam, of the Bengal Civil Service, at
_Gyah_, used every day to pass over a small bridge leading from his
master's house into the town of _Gyah_. He one day refused to go over
it, and it was with great difficulty, by goring him most cruelly with
the _Hunkuss_ [iron instrument], that the _Mahout_ [driver] could get
him to venture on the bridge, the strength of which he first tried with
his trunk, shewing clearly that he suspected that it was not
sufficiently strong. At last he went on, and before he could get over,
the bridge gave way, and they were precipitated into the ditch, which
killed the driver, and considerably injured the elephant. It is
reasonable to suppose that the elephant must have perceived its feeble
state when he last passed over it. It is a well known fact, that
elephants will seldom or ever go over strange bridges, without first
trying with their trunks if they be sufficiently strong to bear their
weight,--nor will they ever go into a boat without doing the same.

I had a remarkably quiet and docile elephant, which one day came home
loaded with branches of trees for provender, followed by a number of
villagers, calling for mercy (their usual cry when ill used);
complaining that the _Mahout_ had stolen a kid from them, and that it
was then on the elephant, under the branches of the trees. The _Mahout_
took an opportunity of decamping into the village and hiding himself. I
ordered the elephant to be unloaded, and was surprised to see that he
would not allow any person to come near to him, when at all other times
he was perfect