HISTORY OF THE ELEPHANT. 129 



appears only to avoid being troubled with their noise. As 

 fire is the thing elephants seem most afraid of in their 

 wild state, and will seldom venture near it, the hunters al- 

 ways have a number of fires lighted, and particularly at 

 night, to prevent the elephants coming too near, as well 

 as to cook their victuals and keep them warm. The sen- 

 tinels supply these fires with fuel, especially green bam- 

 boos, which are generally at hand, and which by the 

 crackling and loud report they make, together with the 

 noise of the watchmen, deter the elephants from coming 

 near; so that the herd generally remains at a distance 

 near the centre of the circle. Should they at any time 

 advance, the alarm is given, -and all the people immedi- 

 ately make a noise and use their rattles, to make them 

 keep at a greater distance. In this manner they are grad- 

 ually brought to the keddah. As soon as they all have 

 entered the gateway, fires are lighted round the greater 

 part of the enclosure, and particularly at the entries, to 

 prevent the elephants from returning. The hunters from 

 without then make a terrible noise, by shouting, beating of 

 drums, firing blank cartridges, &c., to urge the herd on to 

 the next enclosure. The elephants, finding themselves en- 

 snared, scream and make a noise, but seeing no opening 

 except the entrance to the next enclosure, and which they 

 at first generally avoid, they return to the place through 

 which they lately passed, thinking perhaps to escape, but 

 now find it strongly barricaded ; and as there is no ditch 

 at this place, the hunters, to prevent their coming near, 

 keep a line of fire constantly burning all along where the 

 ditch is interrupted, and supply it with fuel from the top 

 of the palisade ; and the people from without make a noise, 

 shouting and hallooing to drive them away. Wherever 

 they turn they find themselves opposed by burning fires, 

 or bundles of reeds and dried grass, which are thrust 

 through the opening of the palisades, except towards the 

 entrance of the second enclosure. After traversing the 

 VOL. L 5 



