178 



MAMMALIA. 



[Chap. 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. 1 



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 

 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 



after the Aratchy went in search of 

 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. 



