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

was ldlu pidtIori', CdpdUle vi HOIulip
thirty or forty people, and formed of small
branches fastened together by what is call
ed jungle-rope, which is nothing more
than the creepers which are twisted round
every tree and bush. 1t is very tough aud
strong, as may be supposed but l confess
| should have felt safer with piece of
English rope. A very large party OF us
sat down TO an excellent breakfast in the
tents and the yelling appearing TO come
nearer and nearer, we were advised TO
make the best Of our way 10 the tree, which
we ascended by steep ladder, aud found
it very comfortable, as we were completely
shaded from the sun by an awning of cocoa
nut leaves. Having gained this command
ing point, our patience was tried for sever
al hours; for though the elephants were
often SO near the entrance that we could
see the bushes move, and sometimes their
ears tapping, they always broIe away
again, till at last, about three o'clock, eight
elephants were driven into the kraal.-
Then the noise OF the people became deaf
ening, and their shouts and yel!s of triumph
drove the poor creatures on; and we had
fine view Of them, as they came rushing
towards us, crushing the jungle in every
direction. The posts were Immediately
put down at the entrance, and the natives
stationed themselves all around the fence ;
and whenever the animals came near it,
they We're driven back by howing and
waving white sticks at them. 1t is said
that the elephant particularly dislikes
white, which is the reason the 'wands are
flourshed but perhaps it is that white is
more conspicuous than anything else among
the dark green. They were driven back
several times till they had half exhausted
themselves, and were then comparatively
quiet in the thickest cover they could find.
and all we saw was an occasional shower
of earth that they tossed over their bodies
with their trunks. In the course Of the
proceeding night, the rest of the herd had
broken through the watch, and got clear
of, and the gentlemen were loud in their
regrets that they had not then been driven
in. I was very glad this had not been
done, as ! think the rush OF the elephants
into the kraal was the finest thing we saw.
Having thus so lar succeeded, the next
thing was to secure them and for this
purpose the tame elephants were introduced
into the kraal. Six very large ones We're
brought in, Just under our tree, and began
breaking down the Jungle, and clearing a
space round the large trees to which it was
intended to tie the wild ones. II was real
" wonderful TO see them twinng their
trunks round some Of the smaller trees,
and with two or three good shakes laying
them fiat. They sometimes pushed their
head against tree, so as 10 bring the whole
force of their body upon it, and then down
it came as for the brushwood, part OF
which was upwards Of six feet high, they
really moved it Gown with their trunks,
In about an hours time, the whole was,
comparatively speaking, clear, and the
poor herd had no longer any hiding place,
but stood all huddled close together in a
little thicke., about The middle of the kraal
There was one very little thing among
them, not much bigger than large pig
and they seemed TO take the greatest care
Of him, keeping him in the centre OF them
Each tame elephant had two men or
his backbone TO guide him, and the othel
TO moose the wild ones, which did not seem
10 be much afraid of them, as they allowed
them TO come very near, and then walked
rather slowly away. One of the tame one
then followed, in the most stealhy anG
treacherous manner possible and when he
came close enough TO the wild one, he be
gan coaxing and tickling him with hi,
trunk, whilst the man with the moose
which is fastened round the tame ones
neck, slipped of his back with it, arc
watched his opportunity 10 throw it ovel
the hind-leg of the other. He soon di,
this, as apparently the tame one gave the
wild elephant poke with his tusk, which
made him lit his leg to move on and in
moment he was prisoner. While the mar
was thus employed, it was curious TO Sc,
the care which the tame elephant took o
him, interpoSing his huge head in such
manner that the Wild one could not toucf
him; and il he should fail of securing tn,
wild elephant, which sometimes happens
the tame one puts out his leg for the maj
to mount on his back, and sets off in pur
suit again, which is sure TO be successful il
the end.
When the poor animal was noosed, he
set up dreadful yell, aud tried to escape
but that was impossible, for the other tam
elephants came up and headed him, which
ever way he attempted to go whilst tn
one to which he was fastened bent his bod
the way he wished 10 take him, and pulle
him along with all his strength to the tire,
TO which he was to be Tied. When h
was dragged close TO it, the tame one wake
round it two or three times with the rope
till he was quite secure. Another cam
TO his other side, and thus be was wedge
so closely between them that he coul
8 not make much resistance and if he die
: he was Immediately thrust at with the tusl
Z, OF both of them. In this way, his les
l were all firmly tied TO two trees 5y grei
I cable-ropes.
7 When the tame ones left him 10 90
! search of the others, he began struggin
e most furiously, and moaned and bellowe
y in very melancholy manner, frequent
e throwing himself on the ground, and dis
: ging his teeth into the earth, while Ii
o tears were rolling down his face. A
h though i came on purpose 10 see all thi
and should have been much disappointt