ELEPHANTS 77 



enclosure are removed. The foot-ropes have been 

 fastened to the stakes and are loosened as the ele- 

 phant walks out. The men holding the ropes at- 

 tached to the fore feet wind them around the two 

 stakes ahead, and those holding the ropes attached 

 to the hind feet wind them about the first stakes. In 

 this way the animal is drawn forward, step by step, 

 toward the stocks, while natives prod him from be- 

 hind with poles. If he tries to bolt, he simply falls 

 over. It is a difficult, trying job, because the ele- 

 phant is still vicious. 



The stocks are built in covered stalls, so that each 

 elephant is separate from the others. Two large 

 uprights are driven into the ground in the shape 

 of a V ; the elephant's head is drawn between them, 

 and they are pulled together at the top so that he 

 is held securely behind the ears. At the corners 

 are uprights, with poles to fence him in, running 

 between them. These poles, located a trifle below 

 his belly, support two cross-bars, one just behind his 

 fore legs, and the other in front of his back legs. In 

 this position it is impossible for the elephant to lie 

 down or to move ; he can wiggle his legs and wave 

 his trunk, but that is all. 



The elephant remains in the stocks for about two 

 weeks. During that time he is fed and petted by a 

 keeper appointed for that particular job. The keep- 

 er crawls over his back and rubs him behind the 

 ears and gives him water, fruit and bamboo shoots. 

 The elephant learns not to be afraid when a man is 



