Chap. IV.J A^ ELEPHANT CORRAL. 353 



state of excitement ; and it was at all times much more 

 difficult to effect a successful capture by daylight than by 

 night when the fires and flambeaux act with double effect, 

 it was the wish of the hunters to defer their final effort 

 till the evening, when the darkness would lend a power- 

 ful aid to their exertions. 



After sunset the scene exhibited was of extraordinary 

 interest ; the low fires, which had apparently only smoul- 

 dered in the sunhght, assumed their ruddy glow amidst 

 the dai'kness, and threw their tinge over the groups col- 

 lected round them ; while the smoke rose in eddies 

 through the rich fohage of the trees. The crowds of 

 spectators maintained profound silence, and not a sound 

 was perceptible beyond the hum of an insect. On a 

 sudden the stillness was broken by the roll of a drum, 

 followed by a discharge of musketry. This was the signal 

 for the renewed assault, and the hunters entered the 

 circle with shouts and clamour ; dry leaves and sticks 

 were flung upon the watch-fires till they blazed aloft, and 

 formed a line of flame on every side, except in the di- 

 rection of the corral, which was studiously kept dark ; and 

 thither the teriified elephants betook themselves followed 

 by the yells and racket of their pursuers. 



They approached at a rapid pace, tramphng do^^m the 

 brushwood and crushing the dry branches, the leader 

 emerged in front of the corral, paused for an instant, 

 stared wildly round, and then rushed headlong through 

 the open gate followed by the rest of the herd. 



As if by magic the entire circuit of the corral, which 

 to this moment had been kept in profound darkness, now 

 blazed with a thousand hghts, every hunter on the instant 

 that the elephants entered, rushing forward to the stockade 

 with a torch kindled at the nearest watch-fire. 



The elephants first dashed to the very extremity of 

 the enclosure, and being brought up by the powerful 

 fence, retreated to regain the gate, but found it closed. 

 Their terror Avas subhme : they hurried round the corral 

 at a rapid pace, but saw it now girt by fire on every side ; 



VOL. n. A A 



