THE STOCKADE. 151 



The guiding-wings, of similar construction, had also been completed, and the 

 finishing touches were just being put to the work ; the whole was concealed 

 in thick jungle on an elephant-run, and the new wood- work was screened 

 with cane-leaves. Everything was in readiness, and Suddar Ali said he 

 would, if allowed, try and drive the elephants in at once. I left it entirely 

 to him, as I had not seen elephants caught before by this plan, and knew 

 nothing of it practically. Suddar Ali requested that I would take up a 

 position near the entrance to the approach to the gate, and give the herd 

 the final rush in, whilst he led the beaters. 



I stood behind a large tree at the end of the left guiding palisade, with 

 a couple of heavy rifles, one loaded with blank cartridge, one with ball. In 

 a couple of hours the elephants were driven, without much noise, to within 

 a quarter of a mile of the trap, the stops on each side keeping them straight 

 for the stockade when they bore too much in any direction. The beaters 

 being now well together and the flanking lines closing in, the final driving 

 commenced with a great shouting and popping of guns, and the terrified 

 herd came on through the jungle, their rapid passage making a quicldy- 

 increasing rushing sound, like the approach of a storm. 



I had reconnoitred the ground beforehand, and found that there was a 

 stream flowing through clayey soil across the line of approach, 100 yards in 

 advance of my post. The ground was level for several yards on each side 

 of the stream, and the clay deep and holding. 



The sound of the elephants coming through the jungle beyond the stream 

 was suddenly changed to a loud swishing noise as they rushed through some 

 high reeds bordering it, and immediately after a loud squelching and splasli- 

 ing ensued, with sounds as of the drawing of gigantic corks, as the terrified 

 monsters struggled in mad haste to extract their legs from the deep mud. 



Gaining my side, they came on at a slapping pace through the thinner 

 jungle, some carrying creepers which had been torn down from the trees on 

 their heads, and all doing their best, with their ears thrown forward, and 

 their tails straight out behind. One huge beast halted suddenly for a 

 brief instant, almost touching the tree behind which I was standing, to 

 listen. Ah ! those terrible sounds ! The kink which signifies demoralisa- 

 tion pervaded his tail, and he " wildly urged on his mad career." I ran 

 from behind the palisade, and with a " yoick to 'em " and a couple of blank 

 charges under the last elephant's tails, I pursued them down the run. It 

 was only fifty yards ; their panic was complete ; after a momentary crush at; 

 the gateway the last huge stern passed in with a rush, and down came the 

 gate ! Several active fellows drew heavy bars across, which effectually 

 secured it against being driven outwards. 



