RESULT OF THE CHASE. 199 



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 scrimmage 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 evening 

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

 up by a champagne dinner given by the Khedda superin- 

 tendent, 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 attendants. 

 By way of accustoming them to the human presence and voice, 

 they were periodically stroked and brushed down with long 

 green boughs, the men performing this office the while singing 



