THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
28 i 
as from behind, the noise and clamour of enemies im- 
mediately press upon them. 
Urged on in this manner, they at length enter the paths, 
and push forward till they reach the large space of the en- 
closure. As soon as they are thus secured, tame elephants 
are sent in after them, and all the avenues shut, except those 
narrow paths by which the natives are to approach them. 
The hunters now advance by these in all directions, and. 
use every means to separate the elephants and drive them 
singly into the smaller compartments which are contained 
within the large enclosure. On this being effected, the only 
thing that remains is to secure them with ropes. The tame 
elephants are here of the most effectual service to the hunters, 
and greatly assist them in throwing ropes round the legs and 
neck of the wild animals. As soon as the wild elephant is 
made fast with ropes, he is led out by the straight path 
prepared for the purpose, and made fast to the strongest 
trees on the outside of the labyrinth. The hunters then 
renew the same process with the rest, till all the elephants 
within the enclosure are successively secured. 
It frequently happens that the elephants when first caught 
are very unruly and violent ; in which case it is necessary to 
have recourse to the powers and sagacity of the tame ones. 
The latter, when they perceive their wild brother is unma- 
nageable, fail to jostling him, and belabouring him witli their 
trunks, till such time as they have rendered him perfectly 
calm and compliant. ’ They are also very assiduous in 
Oo 
