Chap. V.] THE CAPTIVES. 365 



to lift it from the ground by the gentlest touch of a leaf 

 or twig, apparently applied so as to tickle ; but the ini- 

 ])Osition of the rope was instantaneously perceived, and if 

 it could not be reached by the trunk the other foot w^as 

 applied to feel its position, and if possible remove it before 

 the noose could be drawn tight. 



One practice was incessant with almost the entire 

 herd : in the interval of every struggle, they beat up 

 the ground with their fore-feet, and taking up the dry 

 earth in a coil of their trunks, they llimg it dexterously 

 over every part of thek body. Even wdien lying down, 

 the sand wdthin reach was thus collected and scattered 

 over their hmbs : then inserting the extremity of their 

 trunks in theu^ mouths, they withda^ew a quantity of 

 water, which they discharged over theii' backs, repeating 

 the operation again and again, till the dust was tho- 

 roughly saturated. I was astonished at the quantity 

 of water thus apphed, which was sufficient wdien the 

 elephant, as was generally the case, had worked the 

 spot where he lay into a hollow, to convert its surftice 

 into a thin coating of mud. Seeing that the herd 

 had been now twenty-four hours ^vithout access to water 

 of any kind, surrounded by watch-fires, and exliausted 

 by strugghng and terror, the supply of moisture he was 

 capable of containing in the receptacle attached to his 

 stomach must have been very considerable. 



The conduct of the tame elephants during all these 

 proceedings was truly wonderful. They chsplayed the 

 most perfect conception of every movement, both the 

 object to be attained, and the means of accomphshing 

 it. They evinced the utmost enjopnent in what was 

 going on. There was no ill-humour, no mahgnity in 

 the spirit displayed, in what was otherwise a heartless 

 proceeding, but they set about it in a way that 

 showed a thorough rehsh for it, as an agreeable pas- 

 time. Their caution was as remarkable as their sa<ra- 

 city ; there was no hurrying, no confusion, they never 

 ran foul of the ropes, were never in the wav of those 



