BAKING ELEPHANT'S FLESH. 343 



sinking, that when I first beheld the scene I contemj lated it in 

 the momentary expectation of beholding one half of the gathering 

 turn their weapons against the other. 



The trunk and feet are considered a delicacy, and a detachment 

 are employed on these. The four feet are amputated at the fet- 

 lock joint, and the trunk, which at the base is about two feet in 

 thickness, is cut into convenient lengths. Trunk and feet are 

 then baked, preparatory to their removal to head-quarters. The 

 manner in which this is done is as follows : A party, provided 

 with sharp-pointed sticks, dig a hole in the ground for each foot 

 and a portion of the trunk. These holes are about two feet deep, 

 and a yard in width ; the excavated earth is embanked around the 

 margin of the hole. This work being completed, they. next col- 

 lect an immense quantity of dry branches and trunks of trees, of 

 which there is always a profusion scattered around, having been 

 broken by the elephants in former years. These they pile above 

 the holes to the height of eight or nine feet, and then set fire to 

 the heap. When these strong fires have burned down, and the 

 whole of the wood is reduced to ashes, the holes and the surround- 

 ing earth are heated in a high degree. Ten or twelve men then 

 stand round the pit, and rake out the ashes with a pole about six- 

 teen feet in length, having a hook at the end. They relieve one. 

 another in quick succession, each man running in and raking the 

 ashes for a few seconds, and then pitching the pole to his comrade 

 and retreating, since the heat is so intense that it is scarcely to be 

 endured. When all the ashes are thus raked out beyond the 

 surrounding bank of earth, each elephant's foot and portion of the 

 trunk is lifted by two athletic men, standing side by side, who 

 place it on their shoulders, and, approaching the pit together, 

 they heave it into it. The long pole is now again resumed, and 

 with it they shove in the heated bank of earth upon the foot, 

 shoving and raking until it is completely buried in the earth. 

 The hot embers, of which there is always a great supply, are then 

 raked into a heap above the foot, and another bonfire is kindled 

 over each, which is allowed to bum down and die a natural death, 

 by which time the enormous foot or trunk will be found to be 



