44 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
walking upon the surface. A tip of the trunk was 
always above water, and occasionally the animal 
would protrude the entire head, but only to plunge 
once more beneath the stream. In this way, swim¬ 
ming at great speed, and at the same time playing 
along their voyage, the herd crossed the broad river, 
and we saw their dusky forms glittering in the sun¬ 
light as they rose wetted from their bath, and waded 
majestically along the shallows to reach an island ; 
from which they again started upon a similar journey 
to cross another channel of the river. 
The first impression of a stranger when observing 
the conduct of a mahout or driver is sympathy for 
the animal, which is governed through the severe 
authority of the iron spike. This instrument is 
about twenty inches long, and resembles somewhat 
an old-fashioned boat-hook, being a sharp spike at 
the extremity beyond the keen-pointed hook; it can 
thus be used either to drive the elephant forward 
by digging the point into its head, or to pull it 
back by hooking on to the tender base of the ears. 
These driving-hooks weigh from about 4 to 6 lbs., 
and are formidable weapons ; some are exceedingly 
ancient, and have been preserved for a couple of 
centuries or more, such specimens being highly 
artistic, and first-rate examples of the blacksmith’s 
work. Although we may commence our experience 
by pitying the animal that is subjected to such harsh 
treatment, we quickly discover that without the hook 
the elephant is like the donkey without the stick. 
The fact of his knowing that you possess the power. 
