362 A Sportswoman in India 



feet deep ; outside the ditch a stout fence, braced and 

 supported, was erected, about twelve feet in height. 

 The opening in the khedder facing the elephant-run 

 was about twelve feet wide ; it had been arranged to 

 come just between two tree trunks, which served as 

 gate-posts. 



The gate itself was planned like a portcullis, and 

 was made of three tree trunks fastened transversely, 

 slung by means of chains. It was hauled up to a 

 considerable height between the two trees, and fastened 

 by a rope, which was to be cut and the gate lowered 

 directly the herd were inside the khedder. 



The evening before the eventful day Captain Z. 

 and his party saw most of the herd drinking in a 

 pool about sunset, somewhere on the outskirts of 

 their retreat in the cover. A most formidable battalion 

 they looked ; would take some tackling before all 

 was over ! Early morning saw all things in readiness ; 

 a platform had been built near the khedder, well 

 protected, from which standpoint people could see 

 the whole proceedings, and the rest of the Mysore 

 camp flocked in in good time. 



The beat began. Four or five hundred beaters 

 surrounded the cover on all sides except at the 

 khedder, and began slowly to advance with the object 

 of driving the herd in that direction. They came 

 on with wild shouts, rattling of sticks, and beating of 

 toms-toms ; some sent up rockets at intervals, others 

 fired blank cartridges. Far away the tumult began a 

 faint roar ; nearer and nearer it resounded, developing 



