114 Tf^<^ Wild Elephant. 



The preparations were completed by placing a stage 

 for the Governor's party on a group of the nearest trees 

 looking down into the enclosure, so that a view could be 

 had of the entire proceeding, from the entrance of the 

 herd, to the leading out of the captive elephants. 



It is hardly necessary to observe that the stiiicture here 

 described, massive as it is, would be entirely ineffectual 

 to resist the shock, if assaulted by the full force of an 

 enraged, elephant ; and accidents have sometimes hap- 

 pened by the breaking through of the herd ; but reliance 

 is placed not so much on the resistance of the stockade 

 as on the timidity of the captives and their unconscious- 

 ness of their own strength, coupled with the daring of 

 their captors and their devices for ensuring submission. 



The corral being prepared, the beaters address them- 

 selves to drive in the elephants. For this puqiose it is 

 often necessary to fetch a circuit of many miles in order 

 to surround a sufficient number, and the caution to be 

 observed involves patience and delay ; as it is essential 

 to avoid alarming the animals, which might othenvise 

 escape. Their disposition being essentially peaceful, and 

 their only impulse to browse in solitude and security, 

 they withdraw instinctively before the slightest intrusion, 

 and advantage is taken of this timidity and love of seclu- 

 sion to cause only just such an amount of disturbance 

 as will induce them to retire slowly in the direction which 

 it is desired they should take. Several herds are by this 

 means concentrated vithin such an area as will admit of 

 their being completely surrounded by the watchers ; and 

 day after day, by slow degrees, they are moved gradually 



