Method cf Catching IViLl Elephant;. Ijl 



it is finiflied, the people ftationed neareft. to the new circle 

 put out their fires and file off to the right and left, to form 

 the advanced party, thus leaving an opening for the herd to 

 advance through ; and by this movement, both the old and 

 hew circle are joined and form an oblong. The people 

 from behind now begin fhouting and making a noife with 

 their rattles, tomtoms, &c. to catife the elephants to ad- 

 vance ; and as foon as they are got within the new circle, 

 the people clofe up, take their proper ftations, and pafs the 

 remaining part of the day and night as before. In the 

 morning the fame procefs is repeated; and in this manner 

 the herd advances (lowly in that direction where they find 

 themfclvcs lead incommoded by the noife and clamour of 

 the hunters, feeding, as they go along, upon branches of 

 trees, leaves of bamboos, &c. which come in their way. 

 If they fnfpecled arty frtare, they could eafily break through 

 the circle; but this inoffenfive animal, going merely in queft 

 of food, and not feeing any of the people who furround him, 

 and who are concealed by the thick jungle, advances with- 

 out fufpicion, and appears only to avoid being peftered by 

 their noife and din. As fire is the thing elephants kein 

 molt afraid of in their wild ftate, and will feldom venture 

 near it, the hunters always have a number of fires lighted, 

 and particularly at night, to prevent the elephants cominor 

 loo near, as well as to cook their victuals and keep them 

 warm. The fentinels fupply thefe fires with fuel, efpecially' 

 green bamboos, which are generally at hand, and which, 

 by the crackling and loud report they make^ together with 

 the noife of the watchmen, deter the elephants from coming 

 : fo that the herd generally remains at a diftance near 

 the centre of the circle. Should they at any time advance, 

 the alarm is given, and all the people immediately make a 

 noife and ufe their rattles to make them keep at a greater 

 diftance. In this manner they are gradually brought to the 

 Keddah, or place where they are to be fecured. As the na- 

 tives are extremely flow in their operations, they feldom 

 K 2, bring 



