ELEPHANT. 653 



augmenting the strength of the fence. The part of it in which the 

 elephants are first enclosed, is eighteen hundred feet in circumfe- 

 rence ; but it communicates with a smaller fold, one hundred feet 

 in length, and forty broad, through which a rivulet passes, five feet 

 in depth, and nearly fills the enclosure. The elephants enter this 

 place of confinement at only one gate ; and beyond the water the 

 fence gradually contracts, terminating in a strong passage, five feet 

 broad, and one hundred feet long. 



We give likewise, in our author's own words, the striking pic- 

 ture of the entrance of the elephants into the first snare. 



6i All things being ready for driving the elephants into the snare, 

 the governor and his party repaired to the ground about seven 

 o'clock in the evening, ascended the elevated bungaloe by a long 

 ladder, and waited several dark and tedious hours 5 but the termi- 

 nation of the chase amply repaid their patience. It was necessary 

 that silence, as well as darkness, should reign amongst us ; and, 

 in a situation where our eyes and ears were otherwise so attentively 

 engaged, conversation would be particularly irksome. The shout- 

 ing of the hunters was incessant, muskets and rockets joined in the 

 chorus, and the wild roaring of the elephants was heard at intervals, 

 more distinctly warning us of their approach. At length the forest 

 crashed, and the enormous herd pushed forward with fury, levelling 

 instantaneously every tree which opposed their passage. The follow- 

 ing up of the people with the lights and fire-works was truly grand. - 

 Every man waved in his hand a blazing torch, formed of a bundle 

 of reeds, the feeble but effectual means of defence against a tre. 

 inendous foe. The trees were nobly illuminated, and, towering 

 aloft amidst the surrounding darkness, spread their glittering fo- 

 liage in the air." 



When the first enclosure is completely stocked, the foSir gates 

 are closed, and secured with strong stakes. Then another chain 

 of fire and torches is formed within the enclosure, and the perse- 

 cuted animals are driven forward in like manner into the smaller 

 fold. 



u The line of flame once more began its terrifying movement. 

 The people resumed their tumultuous noise, mingled with the din of 

 trumpets, drums, and arms. The affrighted herd, again annoyed 

 with impending horrors, renewed their tremendous flight; and 

 rushing like an agitated torrent into the water snare, experienced 

 still greater sorrows. As soon as seventy elephants had found 



