Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/76

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THE BABYHOOD OF WILD BEASTS

mensely and soon learned to hold the harmonica in her trunk and play some elephant music all by herself. Following this exhibition of temperament came some wonderful music on a horn and military march beats on the kettle drum. She dances the elephantine waltz and sits up on her haunches and takes tea at a dainty tea table. She picks my friend up with her wonderful trunk and sets him up on her big, broad head and takes him for a joy ride.

The African Elephant has never been trained as his Indian brother has. This is due, in a great measure, to his great size and the cost of feeding him. That he is easily trained has been proven by that most remarkable trainer, Carl Hagenbeck, who trained five half-grown African elephants to carry men and burdens within twenty-four hours.

The memory of these great pachyderms (thick-skinned animals) has always been a question of interest. Hagenbeck writes of a sick Elephant that was under his care and who proved himself worthy of consideration and respect. The elephant’s name was "Bosco." He was affectionate and intelligent and would call his benefactor with