Captivity 65 



Other watchers were on the slopes of the 

 hills, ready at all times to dispute a passage 

 in that direction, 

 and within this 

 circumference the 

 elephants lived 

 unmolested while 

 a stout stockade, 

 approached through wide wings which spread 

 V-shaped into the forest, was being constructed 

 in all haste. Work was pressed on day and 

 night lest the herd, now becoming uneasy, 

 should attempt to force a passage ere the 

 arrangements were complete ; but at last all 

 was ready and the order was given that to- 

 morrow the herd was to be driven to captivity. 

 The morning shone bright and clear over the 

 forest ; it was a season when nights were cold 

 and the days hot ; when the vegetation was 

 preparing for the coming drought, the deciduous 

 trees shedding their leaves, the evergreens 

 showing a more brilliant foliage as if rejoicing 

 in their superiority over the seasons. Looking 

 down on the valley, there seemed no sign of 



