6 IN THE INDIAN JUNGLE. 



We were told the drive had begun, but there were 

 no signs of it to -our uninitiated ears. The herd 

 was being gradually worked in our direction ; the 

 beaters would flit from tree to tree, and the keen 

 scent of the elephants would indicate the direction 

 from which their human foes were approaching, and 

 send them off in the opposite direction. It took 

 fully an hour to drive the beasts half-a-mile and 

 bring them within view of the platforms. When I 

 first caught sight of them they were packed close 

 together like a herd of swine. Some of the larger 

 ones were evidently alarmed, and with trunks 

 uplifted were endeavouring to scent on which side 

 the danger lay. The younger ones and there 

 seemed to be several baby elephants among their 

 number were disporting themselves and chasing 

 one another under the bodies and between the legs 

 of their seniors. Browsing as they went, the herd 

 gradually approached the trap-door. A young 

 tusker was the first to enter ; then followed some 

 of the younger ones. Two large females, with very 

 young calves at their heels, seemed instinctively to 

 know that there was danger beyond the narrow 

 opening, and would not approach the entrance, 

 although the remainder of the herd had passed 

 through. It looked as if they would have to 

 be left out, and the trap-door closed, lest the 

 others should return to the outer enclosure and 

 rejoin the wary females. At this point the forest 

 craft of Boomay Gowda came into play. The short 

 yap of the wild dog was heard in the distance. 

 Instinctively the little calves took shelter under 



