Chaf. vil] the elephant. 
213 
men in front receiving all these blows on the points of 
their weapons, the extremity of the trunk becomes so 
sore that the animal curls it up close, and seldom 
afterwards attempts to use it offensively. The first 
dread of man's power being* thus established, the pro- 
cess of taking him to bathe between two tame elephants 
is greatly facilitated, and by lengthening the neck rope, 
and drawing the feet together as close as possible, the 
process of laying him down in the water is finally 
accomplished by the keepers pressing the sharp point 
of their hendoos over the backbone. 
For many days the roaring and resistance which 
attend the operation are considerable, and it often re- 
quires the sagacious interference of the tame elephants 
to control the refractory wild ones. It soon, however, 
becomes practicable to leave the latter alone, only 
taking them to and from the stall by the aid of a decoy. 
This step lasts, under ordinary treatment, for about 
three weeks, when an elephant may be taken alone 
with his legs hobbled, and a man walking backwards 
in front with the point of the hendoo always presented 
to the elephant's head, and a keeper with an iron crook 
at each ear. On getting into the water, the fear of 
being pricked on his tender back induces him to lie 
down directly on the crook being only held over him 
in terrorem. Once this point has been achieved, the 
further process of taming is dependent upon the dis- 
position of the creature. 
The greatest care is requisite, and daily medicines 
are applied to heal the fearful wounds on the legs 
which even the softest ropes occasion. This is the 
great difficulty of training; for the wounds fester 
grievously, and months and sometimes years will 
p 3 
