1 24 The Wild Elephant. 



an ojDportunity to stoop under her and slip the noose 

 over the hind foot of the wild one. The latter instantly 

 perceived his danger, shook off the rope, and turned to 

 attack the man. He would have suffered for his temerity 

 had not Siribeddi protected him by raising her trunk and 

 driving the assailant into the midst of the herd, when the 

 old man, being slightly wounded, Avas helped out of the 

 corral, and his son, Ranghani, took his place. 



The herd again collected in a circle, with their heads 

 towards the centre. The largest male was singled out, 

 and two tame ones pushed boldly in, one on either side 

 of him, till the three stood nearly abreast. He made 

 no resistance, but betrayed his uneasiness by shifting 

 restlessly from foot to foot. Ranghani now crept up, 

 and, holding the rope open with both hands (its other 

 extremity being made fast to Siribeddi's collar), and 

 watching the instant when the wild elephant lifted its 

 hind-foot, succeeded in passing the noose over its leg, 

 drew it close, and fled to the rear. The two tame 

 elephants instantly fell back, Siribeddi stretched the 

 rope to its full length, and, whilst she dragged out the 

 captive, her companion placed himself between her and 

 the herd to prevent any interference. 



In order to tie him to a tree he had to be drawn 

 backwards some twenty or thirty yards, making furious 

 resistance, bellowing in terror, plunging on all sides, and 

 crushing the smaller timber, which bent like reeds be- 

 neath his clumsy struggles. Siribeddi drew him steadily 

 after her, and wound the rope round the proper tree, 

 holding it all the time at its full tension, and stepping 



