236 ELEPHANT CATCHING. 



animals came trotting along, apparently enjoying the 

 sport as much their masters. 



The captive was a bull not quite as large as the one 

 on which we were comfortably perched, but in good con- 

 dition, and having a fine pair of tusks. How he panted 

 after that tremendous struggle for the sweets of liberty ! 

 Ah ! you have fallen beneath a power mightier than that 

 of sinews and muscles ! Your enormous size your ter- 

 rible strength have availed nothing against the attacks of 

 the being who was destined to lord it over every thing in 

 the shape of a beast ! Leaving the huge animal to be 

 further broken by the frightful pangs of hunger, we rode 

 towards home, where we arrived about noon, without 

 meeting with any incident worthy of notice. During the 

 remainder of the day we walked about the village with 

 the Parsee, viewing the sources of his wealth, and the 

 condition of the inhabitants. Order, neatness, and pros- 

 perity appeared on every side. The landlord alone com- 

 plained of the weight of taxation, which compelled him, 

 in turn, to tax his tenants to an enormous extent. 



After supper, we debated the project of a tiger-hunt, 

 while we were waiting to see the wild elephant completely 

 subdued. Our host was desirous of seeing how we would 

 behave in an encounter with the tyrant of the jungle, and 

 we were anxious to show him some instances of that cou- 

 rage and presence of mind which our hunting experience 



