Vaiji Assail lis. 119 



to the spectators ; it extended to the tame elephants 

 which were stationed outside. At the first approach of 

 the flying herd they evinced the utmost interest. Two in 

 particular which were picketed near the front were in- 

 tensely excited, and continued tossing their heads, pawing 

 the ground, and starting as the noise drew near. At 

 length, when the grand rush into the corral took place, 

 one of them fairly burst from her fastenings and rushed 

 towards the herd, levelling a tree of considerable size 

 which obstructed her passage. ^ 



For upwards of an hour the elephants continued to 

 traverse the corral and assail the palisade with unabated 

 energy, trumpeting and screaming with rage after each 

 disappointment. Again and again they attempted to 

 force the gate, as if aware, by experience, that it ought 

 to afford an exit as it had already served as an entrance, 

 but they shrank back stunned and bewildered. By de- 

 grees their efforts became less and less frequent. Single 

 ones rushed excitedly here and there, returning sullenly 

 to their companions after each effort ; and at last the 

 whole herd, stupefied and exhausted, formed themselves 

 into a single group, drawn up in a circle with the young 

 in the centre, and stood motionless under the dark shade 

 of the trees in the middle of the corral. 



' The other elephant, a fine tusker, clays after the Aratchy went in search 

 which belonged to Dehigam Rate- of it with a female decoy, and watching 

 mahat-meya, continued in extreme ex- its approach, sprang fairly on the in- 

 citement throughout all the subsequent furiated beast, with a pair of sharp 

 operations of the capture, and at last, hooks in his hands, which he pressed 

 after attempting to break its way into into tender parts in front of the shoulder, 

 the corral, shaking the bars with its and thus held the elephant firmly till 

 forehead and tusks, it went off in a chains were passed over its legs, and it 

 state of frenzy into the jungle. A few permitted itself to be led quietly away. 



