CAPTURING ELEPHANTS. • 111 



The space .enclosed varies, but 500 feet in length by 250 

 wide is a fair average. At one end an entrance is left open, 

 fitted with sliding bars, so prepared as to be capable of being 

 instantly shut ; and from each angle of the end by which the 

 elephants were to approach, two lines of the same strong fenc- 

 ing were continued, and cautiously concealed by the trees, so 

 that the animals would be prevented from making their escape 

 at the sides while being forced forward to the entrance of the 

 €orraL 



The corral being prepared, the beaters address themselves to 

 driving in the elephants. For this purpose it is often necessary 

 to make a circuit of many miles in order to surround a sufficient 

 nuanber, and the caution to be observed involves patience and 

 dfilay ; as it is essential to avoid alarming the animals, who 

 might otherwise escape. Their disposition being essentially 

 peaceful, and their only impulse to browse in solitude and se- 

 curity, they withdraw instinctively before the slightest intru- 

 sion, and advantage is taken of this timidity and love of seclu- 

 sion to cause only just such an amount of disturbance as will 

 induce them to retire slowly in the direction which it is desired 

 they should take. Several herds are by this means concentra- 

 ted within such an area as will admit of their being completely 

 surrounded by the watchers ; and day after day, by slow de- 

 grees, they are moved gradually onwara toward the immediate 

 confines of the corral. When their suspicions become awak- 

 ened and. they exhibit restlessness and alarm, bolder measures 

 are adopted for preventing their escape. Fires are kept burn- 

 ing at ten paces apart, night and day, along the circumference 

 of the area within which they are detained. At last the ele- 

 phants are forced onward so close to the enclosure, that the 

 investing cordon is united at eithej- end with the wings of the 

 corral, the whole forming a circuit of about two miles, within 

 which the herd is detained to await the signal for the final 

 drive. 



Suddenly the signal is given, and the silence is broken by 

 shouts from the guard, the banging of drums and tom-toms, and 

 the discharge of muskets. Amid this noise the elephants are 

 driven forward to and through the gate, which is mstantly 

 closed to cut off their retreat. In a moment more they rush 

 wildly about the enclosure, trampling the brushwood beneath 

 their ponderous tread, and charge against the palisades, scream- 

 ing with rage at each unsuccessful eflfort. By degrees their 

 efforts slacken, and in about an hour the whole herd, exhausted 

 and stupified, stand motionless. 



The next operation is to introduce the tame elephants into 



