156 RESULT OF THE CHASE. 



But the pace has been too severe to last, and some of 

 our elephants are showing decided symptoms that such is 

 the case, by beginning- to tail off. As they come straggling 

 back in groups from the chase, their excited riders have 

 each some wonderful tale of their prowess during the scrim- 

 mage to relate, which they do with much gesticulation and 

 true oriental volubility. 



Although Golab Soondrie, the elephant I rode, from for- 

 merly having been used in the elephant-catching line, was 

 well acquainted with the business on hand, she could not 

 keep pace with the noosers' elephants, which were of course 

 in a high state of training and condition for such work, from 

 constant practice. I was therefore unable to be in quite at 

 the finish, which resulted in the capture of one of the calves 

 only its mother, after baffling all attempts to noose her, 

 having at length left it to its fate. The poor little creature, 

 which was scarcely bigger than a pony, was set at liberty, as 

 it was considered too young to be weaned from its mother. 



The original intention of driving the herd towards a more 

 practicable locality for their capture having been effectually 

 carried out, we recrossed the Ganges as the shades of even- 

 ing were closing around ; and this glorious day's sport was 

 wound up by a champagne dinner given by the Khedda 

 superintendent, over whose hospitable board the exciting 

 incidents of the hunt were recounted and discussed. 



The piteous cries of the little calf in search of its dam, as 

 they were borne across the river on the night breeze, and the 

 frequent low rumbling noises made by the still excited tame 

 elephants at their pickets, were the last sounds I heard ere I 

 fell asleep. 



Next morning Major Baugh took us round his Khedda. 

 One or two of the more recent captures were bound fast by 

 their legs to trees, where they rocked themselves impatiently 

 to and fro, resisting all the blandishments of their attend- 

 ants. By way of accustoming them to the human presence 

 and voice, they were periodically stroked and brushed down 



