“There are only two distinct species now living,” said George, “and they are known as the Indian and the African elephants. Some differences have been found between the Sumatran elephant and the Indian one but the naturalists are not agreed as to whether the Sumatran should be classed as a distinct species.”
“Evidently you have been reading up the subject of elephants,” said Mr. Graham with a smile, “as I did not expect to find you so well informed. But I have brought you something which probably you have not seen, and it may combine instruction with amusement as it has much to do with elephants.”
Thereupon Mr. Graham took from the table a book which he explained was written by Louis Jacolliott, a French gentleman who lived many years in India and devoted much time and observation to the elephant. “I have marked several passages in the volume,” said lie, “and you may read them aloud in English, partly for practice in translating from French but mainly for the edification of Mr. Webb and Henry as well as of yourselves.”
Charley was first called upon to translate from the marked passages, which he did as follows:
“The most curious and interesting animal which I have met,” says M. Jacolliott, “is the elephant. Not the elephant of the menageries, broken in spirit and submissive, but the elephant as he is found in his native country. Some instances of his aptitude and intelligence are marvellous.
“A few leagues from Pondichery stands a pagoda called Willenoor, which, at the grand feasts of May, receives a multitude of five or six hundred thousand pilgrims, coming from all parts of India. A number of sacred elephants are attached to this pagoda, and among them is a mendicant, or begging elephant. Twice each week this elephant, accompanied by his driver, goes to the villages and to Pondichery to beg alms for the priests of Willenoor.
“Many times, working beneath the veranda, closed in by curtains on the first story of my house, I have seen him lift the movable curtain with his great trunk and balance himself to ask me for a piece of small coin, which he sucked from my hand to his trunk, a distance of more than three inches. I never failed to give him a small piece of money for the pagoda, and for himself a loaf of bread which my servant dipped in molasses, of which the elephant was very fond. In a short time we became very friendly. He had seen me only in undress, that is, in the light silk garments of the country, and then, only across the little pillars of the balcony of my cottage.