One of the most humane and thoughtful Elephants of whom I have ever heard was one which was attached, like our friend Kudabar, to an artillery train in India.  He was walking, on a march, behind a wagon, when he perceived a soldier slip down in the road and fall exactly where, in another instant, the hind-wheel of the wagon would pass over him.  Without being ordered, the Elephant seized the wheel with his trunk, lifted it—­wagon and all—­in the air, and held it up until it had passed over the fallen soldier!

Neither you nor I could have done better than that, even if we had been strong enough.

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A very pretty story is told of an Indian Elephant who was very gallant.  His master, a young Burman lord, had recently been married, and, shortly after the wedding, he and his bride, with many of their guests and followers, were gathered together in the veranda, on the outside of his house.  The Elephant, who was a great favorite with the young lord, happened to be conducted past the house as the company were thus enjoying themselves.  Feeling, no doubt, that it was right to be as polite as possible on this occasion, he put his trunk over a bamboo-fence which enclosed a garden, and selecting the biggest and brightest flower he could see, he approached the veranda, and rearing himself upon his hind-legs, he stretched out his trunk, with the flower held delicately in the little finger at its end, towards the company.  One of the women reached out her hand for it, but the Elephant would not give it to her.  Then his master wished to take it, but the Elephant would not let him have it.  But when the newly-made bride came forward the Elephant presented it to her with all the grace of which he was capable!

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Now, do you not think that an animal which is larger and more powerful than any beast which walks the earth, and is, at the same time, gentle enough to nurse a child, humane enough to protect a dog or a man, and sensible enough to be polite to a newly-married lady, is deserving of the title of the King of Beasts?

THE FRENCH SOLDIER-BOY

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Anxiously the General-in-chief of the French Army stood upon a little mound overlooking the battle-field.  The cannon were thundering, the musketry was rattling, and clouds of smoke obscured the field and the contending armies.

“Ah!” thought he, “if that town over yonder is not taken; if my brave captains fall, and my brave soldiers falter at that stone wall; and if our flag shall not soon wave over those ramparts, France may yet be humbled.”

Is it, then, a wonder, feeling that so much depended on the result of this battle, that his eyes strove so earnestly to pierce the heavy clouds of smoke that overhung the scene?

But while he stood, there came towards him, galloping madly out of the battle, a solitary rider.