Chap. VI.] 
THE ELEPHANT. 
181 
three were very large, and two were little creatures 
but a few months old. One of the large ones was a 
s< rogue," and being unassociated with the rest of the 
herd, he was not admitted to their circle, although 
permitted to stand near them. 
Meanwhile, preparations were making outside to con- 
duct the tame elephants into the corral, in order to 
secure the captives. Noosed ropes were in readiness ; 
and far apart from all stood a party of the out-caste 
Eodiyas, the only tribe who will touch a dead carcase, 
to whom, therefore, the duty is assigned of preparing 
the fine flexible rope for noosing, which is made from 
the fresh hides of the deer and the buffalo. 
At length, the bars which secured the entrance to 
the corral were cautiously withdrawn, and two trained 
elephants passed stealthily in, each ridden by its mahout 
(or ypormekella, as the keeper is termed in Ceylon), and 
one attendant; and, carrying a strong collar, formed 
by coils of rope made from coco-nut fibre, from which 
hung on either side cords of elk's hide, prepared with a 
ready noose. Along with these, and concealed behind 
them, the headman of the " coorooive," or noosers, 
crept in, eager to secure the honour of taking the first 
elephant, a distinction which this class jealously contests 
with the mahouts of the chiefs and temples. He was a 
wiry little man, nearly seventy years old, who had 
served in the same capacity under the Kandyan king, 
and wore two silver bangles, which had been conferred 
on him in testimony of his prowess. He was accom- 
panied by his son, named Eanghanie, equally renowned 
for his courage and dexterity. 
On this occasion ten tame elephants were in attend- 
ance; two were the property of an adjoining temple 
N 3 
