26 WILD BEASTS AND THKIK WAYS CHAP. 



its head upon its trunk and outstretched fore legs, it slid and 

 scrambled to the bottom, accompanied by an avalanche of earth 

 and dust, thus forming a good track for the following herd. 



It is surprising to see in how few minutes a large herd of 

 elephants descending a steep place will form a road. I have fre- 

 quently seen them break down an alluvial cliff in the manner 

 described, where at first sight I should have thought it impossible 

 for an elephant to descend. Once within the river the fun began 

 in earnest. After a march in the hot sun, it was delightful to 

 bathe in the deep stream of the Brahmaputra, and the mighty 

 forms splashed and disported themselves, sometimes totally sub- 

 merged, with the drivers standing ankle-deep upon their hidden 

 backs, which gave them the appearance of walking upon the 

 surface. A tip of the trunk was always above water, and occa- 

 sionally the animal w r ould protrude the entire head, but only to 

 plunge once more beneath the stream. In this way, swimming at 

 great speed, and at the same time playing along their voyage, the 

 herd crossed the broad river, and we saw their dusky forms 

 glittering in the sunlight as they rose wetted from their bath, and 

 waded majestically along the shallows to reach an island ; from 

 which they again started upon a similar journey to cross another 

 channel of the river. 



The first impression of a stranger when observing the conduct 

 of a mahout or driver is sympathy for the animal, which is 

 governed through the severe authority of the iron spike. This 

 instrument is about twenty inches long, and resembles somewhat 

 an old-fashioned boat-hook, being a sharp spike at the extremity 

 beyond the keen-pointed hook ; it can thus be used either to drive 

 the elephant forward by digging the point into its head, or to pull 

 it back by hooking on to the tender base of the ears. These 

 driving-hooks weigh from about 4 to 6 Ibs., and are formidable 

 weapons ; some are exceedingly ancient, and have been preserved 

 for a couple of centuries or more, such specimens being highly 

 artistic, and first-rate examples of the blacksmith's work. 

 Although we may commence our experience by pitying the 

 animal that is subjected to such harsh treatment, we quickly 

 discover that without the hook the elephant is like the donkey 

 without the stick. The fact of his knowing that you possess th. 

 power, or propeller, is sufficient to ensure comparative obedience 

 but it would be impossible to direct the movements of an elephant 

 by simple kindness without the power to inflict punishment. This 

 fact alone will prove that the elephant docs not serve man through 

 affection, but that it is compiled through fear. It is curious to 



