Elephant-hunting. 289 
For a month or two previous to the elephant-hunt, the 
natives are employed in enclosing a large space of ground in 
the midst of a tope of cocoa-trees, and adjoining, or perhaps 
encompassing a tank or pond of water. The enclosure consists 
of large, strong posts, usually of cocoa-wood, driven firmly 
into the ground, and fastened and connected together by strong 
ropes and the branches of the contiguous trees interwoven. 
The inclosure is covered with bushes and boughs, so as to pre- 
vent the posts or the ropes from being seen. The way lead- 
ing into this inclosed space is by long, narrow, and circuitous 
paths fenced on each side in the manner already described, 
and approaching in every different direction. Besides these 
paths, which are sufficiently large to admit the elephant, there 
are various other very narrow ones to allow the hunters to 
advance towards him and retreat occasionally without his being 
able to pursue them. Within the large enclosure are several 
smaller compartments formed with paths leading into them; 
and one straight path is prepared at the further end to lead 
out the elephant when he is secured. The whole has the ap- 
pearance of one large labyrinth ; and its construction displays 
a very considerable degree of ingenuity. 
As soon as all this work, which occupies some time, is 
finished, the Moodeliers and other principal men among the 
Cinglese set about collecting the peasants from every quarter; 
and a vast number of men, women, and children, furnished 
with drums and other noisy instruments are speedily assembled. 
The woods are immediately beset on all sides by this multi- 
tude ; when day light fails them they find their way through 
the thickets by torch light, and they are furnished with fire arms 
Pp 
