CHAP. I. DECOY ELEPHANTS. 25 



latter qualification, the animal cannot conceal her driver 

 from the sight of the intended victim of her allure- 

 ments, or, in the event of his being discovered, afford 

 him protection. A particular time, however, is requi- 

 site for these operations ; this is, during the rutting 

 season, when the weaker males, having been driven 

 away from their former herds by those of greater strength 

 and courage, are wandering about singly in the woods, 

 uttering ( disconsolate trumpetings/ the cause of which 

 is well known to the experienced hunter. These ba- 

 chelor elephants are called sauns; and, being considered 

 very valuable, are especially selected for enticing. It 

 is generally thought best to employ three females, called 

 Jcoomkies, in the capture of one saun, or wild male. 

 Each of these is attended by a driver, or mohout, who 

 is provided with a black blanket, and a small quantity 

 of strong rope : the former is used to cover the driver, 

 who crouches in such a manner as not to be easily dis- 

 tinguished from the female he rides upon. She, also, 

 aids in this deception ; for, if the situation is favour- 

 able, both she and her driver furnish themselves with 

 green boughs, which the former carries in her trunk, 

 playing with it in such a manner as to favour the con- 

 cealment of the latter. When the party thus approach 

 the male, it is usual for the drivers to dismount in some 

 contiguous cover with their blankets and ropes, leading 

 the females to the saun, towards which they proceed 

 with the utmost caution. A most extraordinary scene 

 then follows. The koomkies begin to caress their in- 

 tended victim, as if with the utmost tenderness and 

 affection ; thus inflaming his passions to such a degree, 

 as to blind him to what is going on. During this 

 courtship, however, the females contrive to place them- 

 selves in such a manner as to favour the approach of 

 their keepers, who, watching their opportunities, pass 

 the ropes with wonderful dexterity round the fore legs 

 of the infatuated lover, who is thus speedily secured. 

 When a large tree is at hand, the females artfully lead 

 the male towards it, in the first instance : thus the 



