178 MAMMALTA. {Cuar. V. 
slowly returned to their forlorn resting-place in the 
centre of the corral. 
The attraction of this strange scene was not confined to 
the spectators; it extended to the tame elephants which 
were stationed outside. At the first approach of the 
flying herd they evinced the utmost interest. Two in 
particular which were picketed near the front were 
intensely excited, and continued tossing their heads, 
pawing the ground, and starting as the noise drew near. 
At length, when the grand rush into the corral took 
place, one of them fairly burst from her fastenings and 
rushed towards the herd, levelling a tree of considerable 
size which obstructed her passage.} 
For upwards of an hour the elephants continued to 
traverse the corral and assail the palisade with unabated 
energy, trumpeting and screaming with rage after each 
disappointment. Again and again they attempted to 
force the gate, as if aware, by experience, that it ought 
to afford an exit as it had already served as an entrance, 
but they shrank back stunned and bewildered. By de- 
grees their efforts became less and less frequent. Single 
ones rushed excitedly here and there, returning sullenly 
to their companions after each effort; and at last the 
whole herd, stupified and exhausted, formed themselves 
into a single group, drawn up in a circle with the young 
1 The other elephant, a fine after the Aratchy went in search of 
tusker, which belonged to Dehigam 
Ratamahatmeya, continued in ex- 
treme excitement throughout all 
the subsequent operations of the 
capture, and at last, after attempt- 
ing to break its way into the corral, 
shaking the bars with its forehead 
and tusks, it went off in a state of 
frenzy into the jungle. A few days 
it with a female decoy, and watch- 
ing its approach, sprang fairly on 
the infuriated beast, with a pair of 
sharp hooks in his hands, which he 
pressed into tender parts in front 
of the shoulder, and thus held the 
elephant firmly till chains were 
passed over its legs, and it per- 
mitted itself to be led quietly away. 
