THE ELEPHANT. 
213 
stances which have not been explained, large 
’tiale elephants are sometimes found apart from 
the herd. These, being the finest animals, and 
therefore best adapted for sale, are soon mark- 
ed by the hunters. They follow them cautiously 
hay and night, with two, or sometimes four 
trained females, called koomkies. These gra- 
hually move towards the stranger, grazing 
Quietly as if, like him, they were inhabitants of 
the forest. The drivers remain concealed at 
^ little distance, while the koomkies surround 
the goondah, as this sort of elephant is called. 
he appears to be pleased with his new com- 
panions, and abandons himself to their caresses, 
the hunters cautiously creep under him and 
fasten his fore-legs with a strong rope. It is 
®aid that the wily females will not only divert 
attention from their mahouts, or drivers, 
W absolutely assist them in fastening the 
'^Ofds. The hind legs being secured in a si- 
*^ilar manner, the hunters either fasten him at 
