50 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



hide, which is uncomfortable to both man and beast. A large 

 hide of the sambur deer, well cured and greased so as to be soft 

 and pliable, should invariably protect the belly of the elephant, 

 and tlu 1 flunks under the fore legs, from the friction of the girthing 

 rope. The breastplate and crupper also require attention. These 

 ought to be of the same quality of cotton rope as used for the 

 girths, but that portion of the crupper which passes beneath the 

 tail should pass through an iron tube bent specially to fit, like the 

 letter V elongated, U. This is a great safeguard against galling, 

 and I believe it was first suggested by Mr. G. P. Sanderson. 



A fine male elephant, well accoutred with his howdah thoroughly 

 secured, and a good mahout, is a splendid mount, and the rider 

 has the satisfaction of feeling that his animal is well up to his 

 weight. I do not know a more agreeable sensation than the start 

 in the early morning upon a thoroughly dependable elephant, with 

 all the belongings in first-rate order, and a mahout who takes a 

 real interest in his work ; a thorough harmony exists between men 

 and beast, the rifles are in their places, and you feel prepared for 

 anything that may happen during the hazardous adventures of 

 the day. 



But how much depends upon that mahout ! It is impossible 

 for an ordinary bystander to comprehend the secret signs which 

 are mutually understood by the elephant and his guide the gentle 

 pressure of one toe, or the compression of one knee, or the delicate 

 touch of a heel, or the almost imperceptible swaying of the body 

 to one side ; the elephant detects every movement, howsoever 

 slight, and it is thus mysteriously guided by its intelligence ; the 

 mighty beast obeys the unseen helm of thought, just as a huge 

 ship yields by apparent instinct to the insignificant appendage 

 which directs her course the rudder. All good riders know the 

 mystery of a " good hand " upon a horse ; this is a thing that is 

 understood, but cannot be described except by a negative. There 

 are persons who can sit a horse gracefully and well, but who have 

 not the instinctive gift of hand. The horse is aware of this almost 

 as soon as the rider has been seated in the saddle. In that case, 

 whether the horse be first-class or not, there will be no comfort for 

 the animal, and no ease for the rider. 



If such a person puts his horse at a fence, the animal will not 

 be thoroughly convinced that his rider wishes him to take it. 

 There are more accidents occasioned by a " bad hand " than by 

 any other cause. If this is the case with a horse well bitted, what 

 must be the result should an elephant be guided by a mahout of 

 uncertain temperament 1 The great trouble when travelling on an 



