t28 THE ELETHANT. 



m the form of a figure of 8. Six or eight of these ropes 

 are generally employed, one above another ; and 

 they are fastened at their intersections by another 

 rope, that is made to pass perpendicularly up and 

 down. A strong cable, with a running noose, 

 sixty cubits long, is next put round each hind leg, 

 above the other ropes; and afterwards six or eight 

 other ropes are crossed from leg to leg above the 

 cable. The fixing these' ropes usually occupies 

 about twenty minutes^ during which time the ut- 

 most silence is observed. 



When thus properly secured, the animal is left to 

 himself, the Koomkees retiring to a little distance. 

 In attempting to follow them, he finds his legs tied ; 

 and becoming sensible of the danger of his situation^ 

 immediately retreats towards the jungle. The drivers, 

 mounted on the tame Elephants, accompanied by 

 a number of people, who till this time have been kept 

 out of sight, follow him at a little distance ; and as 

 soon as he passes near a tree sufficiently stout to 

 hold him, they take a few turns witli the long cables 

 which trailed behind him, round his trunk. His 

 progress being thus stopped, he becomes furious, 

 and exerts his utmost cllbrts to diseno-ac-e himself. 

 Tiie Koomkees dure not now come near him ; and 

 in his fury he falls down on the earth, and tears it 

 up with his tusks. In these exertions he sometimes 

 breaks the cables, and escapes into the thick jungle. 

 Hither the drivers cannot advance, for fear of the 

 ctlier wild Elephants ; :\nd are therefore obliged to 

 leave him to liis f^ite. But as the cables are strong, 

 and very seldom give v;ay, when he lias exhausted 



