Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-08
AFTER THE ELEPHANTS.
A Royal Hunt In India Enjoyed by q Man
from New Jersey.

from New Jersey.
The following account OF q royal ele-
phant hunt at Aynthia, India, was writ
ten homo by q New Jersey man who hap
pencd to witness that interesting event:
"The stockado in which the elephants
arc yearly captured" he says, sis
quadrangular piece Of ground, inclosed
by wall some six feet thick, having an
entrance on one side through which the
elephants are made to enter the inclos-
ure. Inside the wall is fcncc of strong
teak stakes driven into the ground close
together, allowing only sufficient room
between them to permit the passage of
q man. In the center is small house
erected on poles and strongly supported
and surrounded by stakes, wherein men
are generally stationed for the purpose
OF securing the animals, but on this oc-
casion tho elephants were let loose upon
an open plain behind tho aroma and then
captured. The wild elephants being
then in tho bamboo Jungle in tho vicin-
ity OF Aynthia, having been deceived
from great distance in the interior and
kopt in readiness within O few hours
journey for the appointed day, and as we
were informed of their near approach to
boasts being lurcd by tho tamo ones.
The sight to Us was novelty. You
see over an immense plain at some dis
tance few tame elephants with their
riders ahead Of at least two hundred
wild ones, largo and small. You see
them nearing you closer and closer,
until they approach the stockadc, when
tho tame elephants form q front-and
fancy fifteen tame beasts hemming in
somo two hundred wild ones in a small
space-when they were pressed forward
through tho entrance one by one. Hero
we experienced some excitement. Somo
go through quietly, others refuse, show
fight, charge the line of front, and on
several occasions broke through, when
Off go tho tame elephants and bring
them back, aid so by patience and per-
severance the whole number is driven
In. Tho gate is then closed and they
remain within tho Enclosure to await
the pleasure of tho King.
"Early the next morning the King ar-
rived, accompanied by largo concourso
OF mobiles. AT about eleven O'clock he
arrived at sort Of grand stand and op-
erations commenced. Tho beasts that
had boon penned up all night wero Let
out through another gate opening into
plain, where such as the King admired
were caught. Here again the scene was
exciting. If an animal which is ,.lmired
escapes, chase is Immediately made
after 1t by tho tamc elephants, tho driver
OF which throws lasso to catch the
fugitive's feet. Having effected this,
the animal upon which ho rides leans it.
self with all it's power tho opposite way,
and thus brings tho other violently on
the ground. Iti Is then strongly bound
and conveyed to the elephant stables.
Ono large male made it's escape through
tho front ranks ard was lost among the
ruins and jungle of the old city. Nat
urally enough accidents aro Of common
occurrence, men being killed by tho in
furiated ouimals, which are frequently
confined for two days in tho inclosuro
without food. L am happy to say that
no accidents Of serious nature occurred
on this occasion. havo only to chron-
icle few upscts Of no Importance.
From tho two hundred elephants that
were dccoyod tho King selected somo
twenty Of tho bost. Tho remainder
wore driven into tho interior to await
tho ensuing year."-Nowark Sunday
! Call.