238 IN THE INDIAN JUNGLE. 



when in the wild state. In the uthee-khana (ele- 

 phant stables) the elephants are under control and 

 are mostly grown animals, so one learns little of 

 their natural habits. Three or four seasons in the 

 jungle at kheddah-work and you learn a deal. When 

 a young bull becomes must for the first time it 

 always fights, generally with some other young 

 tusker. It is only when the leader becomes very 

 old or enfeebled from disease that he has to fight to 

 maintain his place as leader. Then it is a fight to 

 the death, or the challenger has to leave the herd 

 and becomes the dangerous brute known as a 

 solitary bull. When one young tusker wishes to 

 fight another he challenges him by kicking dust in 

 his face with his forelegs. When the challenge is 

 accepted the remainder of the herd clear off some 

 distance, and go on feeding without taking the 

 slightest notice. The fighters face each other about 

 twenty paces apart. They grunt and trumpet out 

 defiance. Then they back a few paces like fight- 

 ing rams, and rush at each other with heads 

 lowered and trunks coiled between the forelegs. 

 The shock is great, and should either be thrown 

 the other immediately proceeds to kick the prostrate 

 one until he gets up and runs away. They seldom 

 stand a second charge, unless it be a fight between 

 the leader and some aspirant for his post. Then 

 tusks are used and great wounds are inflicted, and 

 the battle lasts hours. The greatest fight I have 

 seen was between two tame ones. Sanderson Sahib 

 has put it in his book, so you may have seen it. I 

 was mahout to Motee Goocha, the great fighting 



