Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-11-12

looked at him through the bushes, but did
not attempt rescue, which they often do,
but took to their heels whenever they saw
the tame ones turn in their direction.
In this manner they were all secured,
excepting the little one, as he could rot do
much harm, and always kept close to his
mother, which was very quiet, and there
fore only tied by three legs. A young el-
ephant is, think, the drollest-looking
creature possible. This one was supposed
to be about three months old, but it made
more noise than all the rest, and trumpeted
and charged in great style.
Kraals are now much less frequent in
Ceyon than they used 10 be. Some years
ago, there was one in the town of Handy,
in which good many elephants were ta-
ken and gentleman told me be was pre-
sent at one in Tangallr, where 270 were
enclosed, which no doubt must have been
a very fine sight but of course only few,
comparatively spt aking, could have been
taken, the rest mus. have been killed
There are now immense numbers in that
part Of the island, but still they are decreas-
ing everywhere, and must continue TO DO
81 as the population increases, and the
county is laid more open.
1t is dangerous to meet single elephant
He is almost sure to attack you, but a herd
will allow you TO come very close to them,
without attempting 10 touch you, unless
they are irritated by being hunted or fired
at; but it is a hopeless case if you meet a
oil MT 90 10, IaI IN,
Ceylon. People tell you that they have
been dismissed from the herd for miscon-
duct, and that that is the reason why they
are always 50 furious. There is a little
stream near the kraal at Cospeltic, where,
some years ago, the tuppat man las the
postman is caled) was killed by a rogue
elephant early in the morning. The poor
fellow was told that an elephant was on
the road, but he did not like TO delay, and
pushed on. Some people, who were not
far off, Just heard the animal roar, and a
sort of moan followed. When it was day.
light, the unfortunate mans body was
found crushed in frighttu, manner, but
his death must have been instantaneous.
There were temporary stables near Kor-
negalie, where the elephants were kept
till tame enough to BE- made useful We
went and saw them. There were ten ele-
plants in the stalls, which had been taken
at kraal in the neighborhood month
before. Some of them were very wild and
furious looking, one little one, as usual g,
making more noise than all the rest and
as he was strong enough to knock man
down, he was tied by the leg in the stall.
He was afterwards given to the 18th High
landerS, who brought him home, and was
made pet of by the regiment.
The situation OF the elephant in his
stall must be both painful and uncomforla-
BILE, and there is often great difficulty in
fastening him in it; it is made Just wide
enough TO admit him, bnt not sufficiently
SO as TO allow OF his turning round. There
is wide stall on each side, into which two
tame ones go, dragging their prisoner into
the middle one, and remain beside him I'M
til he is secured TO posts by each of his
legs. He therefore can do no injury but
with his trunk, and not much with that, as
his neck is also fastened TO beam abo e.
10 this irksome position he is kept for forty
days, without the power of turning round
or lying down the only change permit
ted is when he is taken down to the watel
to wash, which is done every day ant
that cannot be much pleasure 10 him, as he
walks between his two tame friends, which
keep SO close TO him, that he has very little
power to move or look about him. Each
elephant has three men to wait upon him
and native doctor is always in attendance
After forty days, he is gradually allowed
more liberty, and generally in three month:
he is perfectly tanned, and sent down tc
Colombo to be educated. The most crue
part Of the business is, that he is tied sc
tightly, his legs are full of sores, aud quite
raw. | think this might be obviated witt
a little more care bot as il does not in
Ijure his value, the people do not much
concern themselves about his sufferings. -
Sometimes they feel their captivity Sc
much, that they will neither eat nor drink
and actually die of a broken heart ant
when a very young one is caught, it mus
be separated from his mother, as after tn,
first day or two the poor thing can neve
give it any nourishment. They are fond o
their young ones, and often the mothe
does not survive the separation, but pine
away by degrees.
Two OF those we saw captured wer
brought into KornegalIe the next evening
they were very quietly walking each be
tween two tame ones, to which they wer
fastened by strong ropes, which were frs
thrown round the necks Of the tame ones
and then round those of the wild; thei
hind-egs were also loosely tied together
so as TO allow of their walking, and it wa
really surprising TO see how easily the,
went along. Once only one of them trie
TO lie down, and would not move for SOM
time but his companions at last rouse
him, by poking him we'll with their tusk'
, and after that there was no difficulty.
J We stopped at the kraal the next da
on our way home, and saw the rest of th
animals still tied to their trees. One c
! them was remarkably fierce, he trumpets
, and lashed his trunk about, aud tried t
charge at Us as far as the ropes would alo'
! him. We heard afterwards that he brok
his neck on his way to Kornegalle, frol
, his violent efforts to break loose and
: few days after, the mother of the little on
, was found strangled in her stall, probabl
with her exertions TO get at her young on
| Al