Method of catching wild Elephants. 239 



file herd is brought near to the firfl enclofure or Baigcote, which has two 

 gateways towards the jungle, from which the elephants are to advance, 

 (thefe as well as the other gateways are difguifed with branches of trees 

 and bamboos ftuck in the ground, fo as to give thern the appearance of a 

 natural jungle) the greaterr. difficulty is to get the herd to enter the firft or 

 outer enclofure ; for notwithstanding the precautions taken to difguife both 

 the entries as well as the palifade which furrounds this enclofure, the Pal-* 

 mat or leader now appears to fufpect fome fnare, from the difficulty and he- 

 sitation with which in general me paries into it; but, as ibon as (he enters, the 

 whole herd implicitly follows-. Immediately, when they are all palled the 

 gateway, fires are lighted round the grcateft part of the enclofure, and par- 

 ticularly at the entries, to prevent the elephants from returning. The hun- 

 ters from without then make a terrible noife by fhouting, beating of torn* 

 toms (a kind of drum), firing blunt cartridges, &c. to urge the herd on to the 

 next enclofure. The elephants finding themfelves enfnared', fcream and 

 make a ncifij; but, feeing no opening except the entrance to the next enclo- 

 fure, and which they at firfl generally avoid, they return to the place 

 through which they lately paffed, thinking perhaps to efcape, but now find 

 it ftrongly barricaded, and, as there is no ditch at this place, the hunters, 

 to prevent their coming near and forcing their way, keep a line of fire con- 

 ilantly burning all along where the ditch is interrupted, and fupply it with 

 fuel from the top of the palif ide, and the people from without make a noife, 

 fhouting and hallooing to drive them away. Whenever they turn they find 

 themfelves oppof:d by burning fires or bundles or" reeds, and dried grafs, 

 which are thriill through the opening of the palifades, except towards the 

 entrance of the Ccond enclofure or Doobraze-cote. After traverfmg the Baig~ 

 core for fometime, and finding no chance of efcaping but through the gate- 

 way into the next enclofure, the kader enters and the reft follow : the gate 



