The Kheddah 125 



not follow, and of securing it with a strand of 

 hemp, so that the same danger should not 

 again occur ; and when this was completed, 

 there remained nothing but to shout for help, 

 for amongst the densely grown trees it would be 

 impossible, without entanglement, which would 

 mean breakage of the rope, to lead the captive 

 into the open. In the first hour or so some 

 twenty of the wild elephants had been noosed, 

 and those mahouts who had been unsuccessful in 

 the chase, were now ordered to give assistance 

 to their more fortunate companions. It was 

 comparatively easy to fit a second rope, and to 

 lead away the wild elephant, which was kept 

 in position between the two tame ones, by the 

 ropes strained to front and rear by these latter. 

 Thus, after some delay the vanquished and 

 conquerors were all assembled in the little 

 valley to be inspected, and then marshalled on 

 the road to prison. 



It was at this moment that a diversion was 

 created by the appearance of the herd-bull. 

 This animal, as usual, at some little distance 

 from the herd, had become excited by the 



