ELEPHANT HUNT. 
275 
the slanting beams of the rising sun penetrate their 
unsubstantial bosoms, and become refracted in ten 
thousand varying hues over the smiling landscape. 
Everything was so still that, but for the operations 
of the men in the valley, who formed the line of 
which I have spoken, Nature might be said to be not 
yet roused from her repose. The general calm op- 
posed a striking contrast to the close array of hunt- 
ers actively employed in accelerating the motions of 
those gigantic creatures which were about to be en- 
trapped. Groups of armed men were warming them- 
selves over the expiring embers of watch-fires that 
had been kindled in different passes of the hills, where 
they had been placed as guards lest any of the herd 
should attempt those passes. Their position was pic- 
turesque ; and while their arms occasionally reflected 
a sudden blaze of the dying fires excited by their 
breath, the dim outline of their figures, robed in white 
tunics, placed in direct relief against the dark clothing 
of the hills, would have furnished a fit subject for the 
pencil of the sublime and terrible Neapolitan.* 
Not an elephant was yet to be seen, but an occa- 
sional roar from the jungle announced that the herd 
was gradually approaching the snare. As soon as the 
order for driving them forward reached the line, there 
was a general and busy stir. The fires brightened, 
and the important business of cooking for the mul- 
titude commenced previously to opening the grand 
act of the drama, — that of securing the elephants 
within the enclosure. This was a large space, sur- 
rounded by a deep ditch, except at the entrance. 
* Salvator Rosa. 
