160 MAMMALIA. [Cuar. V. 
So fearless and confident are they that two men, 
without aid or attendants, will boldly attempt to cap- 
ture the largest-sized elephant. Their only weapon is a 
flexible rope made of elk’s or buffalo’s hide, with which 
it is their object to secure one of the hind legs. This 
they effect either by following in its footsteps when in 
motion or by stealing close up to it when at rest, and 
availing themselves of its well-known propensity at 
such moments to swing the feet backwards and forwards, 
they contrive to slip a noose over the hind leg. 
At other times this is achieved by spreading the 
noose on the ground partially concealed by roots and 
leaves beneath a tree on which one of the party is sta- 
tioned, whose business it is to lift it suddenly by means 
of a cord, raising it on the elephant’s leg at the moment 
when his companion has succeeded in provoking him to 
place his foot within the circle, the other end having 
been previously made fast to the stem of the tree. 
Should the noosing be effected in open ground, and no 
tree of sufficient strength at hand round which to wind 
the rope, one of the Moors, allowing himself to be pur- 
sued by the enraged elephant, entices him towards the 
nearest grove; where his companion, dexterously laying 
hold of the rope as it trails along the ground, suddenly 
coils it round a suitable stem, and brings the fugitive to 
a stand still. On finding himself thus arrested, the 
natural impulse of the captive is to turn on the man 
face. The effect was instantaneous; 
each hand, and waving them above 
his head till they flamed out fiercely, 
he advanced at a deliberate pace to 
within a few yards of the elephant 
who was acting as leader of the 
party, and who was growling and 
trumpeting in his rage, and flour- 
ished the flaming torches in his 
the whole herd dashed away in a 
panic, bellowing, screaming, and 
crushing through the underwood, 
whilst we availed ourselves of the 
open path to make our way to our 
tents.” 
