THE ELEPHANT OF INDIA. 113 
state to be removed, tame males, or decoy 
females, are used, which lead him to the place 
where he is to be picketed. Here the mahout, 
or keeper, redoubles his care and caresses, and 
seldom fails to become a favourite, and often an 
object of great attachment to the animal. 
The most singular method, however, which has 
been adopted for taking Elephants, is by the 
assistance of decoy females, which enter into the 
undertaking as if they were as much interested 
in it as their owners. This is chiefly practised 
with those males which have been driven off from 
the herd, and are wandering about by themselves. 
They are known by the title of sautis, and are 
valuable to dealers, being the second in size and 
strength to the leader of the herd. Two decoy 
Elephants, or koomkies, as they are termed, are 
generally employed in this business, attended by 
the mahout, provided with a black covering and 
strong ropes. When the wild animal is discovered, 
the decoys approach as near as possible, the 
mahout mounted, covered with his cloak, and 
crouching. When afraid of discovery, he slides 
down, and the females proceed alone on their 
treacherous errand, in which they generally suc- 
ceed so well by caresses, as to distract the atten- 
tion of the animal, and thus enable the men to bind 
his legs. Sometimes, during the caresses, he is led 
towards a tree, and his bonds made fast to it. The 
VOL. xxiu. 
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