A DUMB HERO

Evening Star, Issue 21316, 21 January 1933, Page 5

A DUMB HERO

In some parts of Asia the elephant is still used in war. One of those splendid big fellows, during a skirmish near Poona, carried the flag. Ho was so tall that they choose him as a standardbearer so that from a distance the soldiers could see it flying above his back. He was as gentle as he was brave, but he would obey nobody except his own mahout or driver. During a very fierce fight the driver called out to the elephant: “ Stand, my brave fellow, stand!” A moment later the man was struck by a bullet and was killed. But the obedient elephant would not move, although the battle raged more and more fiercely around him. The soldiers on his dead master’s side were cheered by the sight of the flag still floating from his back. He never stirred all through the hot fight, the noise, the smoke, the confusion, but listened patiently for his master’s order. The poor, faithful, dumb soldier must have felt both thirsty and faint and have longed for the cool shade of the forest in which he had been born, or for the pleasant meal of rice which ho had earned so well. Firm as a rock ho stood, though all the while sharp spears were hurled at a score of them piercing his sides. His long cars dripped with blood, yet he never uttered a groan nor stirred, hut waited for the word of command from that beloved voice now hushed for ever. “ Forward, men!” cried his late master’s captain. “ Our flag still floats, and the victory will yet be ours! The soldiers, who had been ready to fly, felt new courage, and with a cheer for the flag pressed on and put the enemy to flight. And then the victorious soldiers crowded round the bravo elephant, praising him, patting him, and trying to lead him to a place of .rest and safety All in vain! He would obey no voice but the one he could never hist'a bright thought struck one of the men. A rider was sent in groat haste to a place fifty miles oft. which liad been the home of the elephant and his master and where the elephant s little playmate, his master’s son, lived. When the little boy was brought to the battlefield the elephant showed signs of great delight, and at once allowed the child, whom no doubt he thought -his dear master had sent, to lead him away.