Chaf. VII.] 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 



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