TELE ELEPHANT. 181 



it does not often happen that the elephants fall 

 therein. Not only do they try with their feet with 

 the greatest care any ground that looks suspicious, 

 but they make constant use of their trunks to prove 

 the solidity of the soil, or to clear out of the way 

 everything which appears to hide a trap. 



It is not an easy matter to draw an elephant out 

 of one of these pits, and it can only be done by the 

 aid of a tame elephant ; otherwise it would be 

 necessary to subdue the animal by hunger before 

 thinking of getting him out. 



Any one getting within reach of the trunk of an 

 elephant just taken, would do so at the risk of his 

 life ; but, singularly enough, a driver mounted on a 

 tame elephant's neck can approach the novice with 

 impunity, and tighten or slacken the noose round 

 his neck or feet. 



The cords placed round the legs sometimes cut 

 them to the bone, and leave marks which endure 

 for the animal's lifetime. No nourishment is given 

 to him for several days. This deprivation of food 

 soon brings down his courage, and then it is thai; 

 his appointed driver insures the friendly recognition 

 of the elephant by bringing him food and unbinding 

 his limbs. 



