Chap. V.] 



THE ELEPHANT. 



179 



in the centre, and stood motionless under the dark shade 

 of the trees in the middle of the corral. 



Preparations were now made to keep watch during 

 the night, the guard was reinforced around the enclosure, 

 and wood heaped on the fires to keep up a high flame 

 till sunrise. 



Three herds had been originally entrapped by the 

 beaters outside ; but with characteristic instinct they 

 had each kept clear of the other, taking up different 

 stations in the space invested by the watchers. When 

 the final drive took place one herd only had entered the 

 enclosure, the other two keeping behind; and as the 

 gate had to be instantly shut on the first division, the 

 last were unavoidably excluded and remained concealed 

 in the jungle. To prevent their escape, the watchers 

 were ordered to their former stations, the fires were 

 replenished; and all precautions having been taken, 

 we returned to pass the night in our bungalows by the 

 river. 



