The National tribune., 1891-04-02


upon as simply cattle roaming at large for
breeding purposes. Their hauuts are known,
and when there are several OF the right age a
hunt takes place.
Certain elephants arc trained to act as decoys.
These are turned loose, aud finding drove, by
crafty mHnuvors bring them down in the dITec-
ton Ol Tie hunter ln a certain place the forest
Is prepared for them; the hunters lie concealed
near large trees with coils Of rope ready. As
tbs herd come near the decoy elephants, by
friendly jostllng aud rubbing, get the ones 10
be captured close 10 tllp trees. and occupy their
attention while the ninlble natives pass loop
after loop around ore hind leg. These loops
arc not drawn until concerted signal is given,
when all tighten IN together; then commences
fearful struggle.
Having been enlightened as to the way in
which il was TO be done we were escorted, about
haii-mile from camp, into part of the forest
where large quantities of underground Of a
bind 10 which the elephant is particularly par
ua was growing. This bad been regularly
planted, aud was so cut out aud arranged as 10
attract the animals near certain large trees.
where neat covert Of low bushes concealed
the men and rope la order that we might see
everything without being seen, a ieaiy bower
had been built among the widC.sprcadIng
branches OF tree, close 10 the spot
While we were watching The preparations a
runner came quickly In, reporting that the
main herd would be along iH an hour. Upon
this, the hunters took their places and we
scrambled up into our tree, arranging ourselves
so as 10 overlook everything. IN a few mo.
ments there came quietly non the scene from
the direction Of our camp an elephant, who
went leisuTcly around and visited each place
where the men were hidden. With his trunk
he sWlshed the bushes 70 the right and lett,
plucked a branch here and there lie was the
stage-mansmcr and his duty was 10 see that
plants point OF vision. Having satisfied it,
self that all was correct, he moved away into
the forest Hnd began q shriil footing. which
after while was answered from the jungle.
The Prince, who wa, with us, now cautioned
us again TO Heep perfect silence. Presently we
could hear the cracking of uudcrbrush and our
elephant once more appeared moving by the
side OF huge old bull, whose every action in-
dicatcd di5trust lie advanced slowly into the
glade, turning bis huge head from side to side,
while hls little eyes seemed 10 penetrate every
nook. Meanwhile our friend 0stontatiuusly
pucked q fragrant branch, and footed his ap-
proval Of its taste. Several more elephants Of
various sizcs,n burst Through the lcaiy screeh,
and We counted 81, including the six tame de-
cOys. These we thought we could tell by the
Hssiduous attentions paid 10 certain young aud
smaller ones.
The whole herd were soon devouring the
fragrant leaves, and many were the tools and
Equcals. 40 seemed am age before we could see
any tendency toward the lurkiug-places Of the
hunters, but the decOys were crafty, aud ID was
only by degrees that they worked their prey
into the right position. ID was done, however,
and done 30 well that almost al the same time
the six victims approached their fate By
gentle Jostilng, reaching across 10 pull down
branches, the unwRry iunOCents were driven TO
tic appointed places and even induced 10 Jean
aud scratch against the very trees to which
they were 70 be bound. Sundry little tOots
were given by the various dccoys, aud finally
our Stage manager gave one, whose length be-
tOkencd some new phaze OF The matter There
was something iu it that reused the ire Of the
huge bull who first came upon the scene, for.
elcNailuE hls trunk on high, be poured out
such a volume Of sound as 10 cause every
slephaut 70 pause and look toward him. Too
late came The warning. The struggles OF one
Oi tie young ones aud It's notes of terror were
Fepeated from several directions and led by
the bulii the herd with screams Of Giemay
dashed away into the forest IN the direction II
the camp.
Twelve, however, remained-the six recruits.
tuREug hercely at their lashiHEs the deCOys
pushing against and hampcring their struggle.
The trees shook with the violence OF their
energy but tho fatal folds OF the rope were
swiftly being passed around their other legs
uuili, with fore leg bound 10 hind lgg and both
bound to the decoy the poor captiYcs rauscd
from very wearincss
AZ now assumed somewhat the appearance Of
q eeicggcd race Tor when the oecOv moved
thc victim must 20. hs soon as the herd had
scattered, we had begun talking and now
wanted 10 come down, but the Prince checked
our descent and advised caution until the camp
followers reported the way clear. ID was a timely
warning, lOr We soon heard the crashing OF Tie
drove returning and they passed close under
our iFee THIS was the signal for fresh Lut
equally Intellectual struggles among tic vic
time.
hcnow descended and advancing cautiously.
examined the captycs. They were al young
COWS ,as these train BETTER The Prince now
hdFlsed returning 10 camp, for the elephants
wore 10 be leit as they were All night. IN the
morning they would lave been sufficiently
0uieted ahd accustomed 10 their males 10 be
moved into camp for training Tie decgv
stood guard, Hud Was even now al work sootll-
inR tHe strangers while the busy native buntcrs
Mo1e passing close as they dared showing
themselves freely 10 the startled eyes of tic
victims.
Arriving iu camp we found some confusion Tor
one oi The smaller elephants had succeeded I'm
g"lng lnto TIE biOcEaac aud overturned two
tents. lu trying tOcscapc it Lad gottcn wcdgcd
between Two % The posts, and Was still stand
lng there lashed, Tor the servants had taken
advantage oi lis helpless condition.
m bht i.ooi lAlua was making "a great deal u
nolsci the Prince called his driver and ordered
Ain % attach Dds elephant % the little QUO aud
oIaE % outside d. rest with Tie tame ones. IL
Mas amusing 90 witness the curiosity aud gen.
h'h.s- o' ihc huge fellow Alter stIolIup and
caicziuE The lido CALI hc wound l.s trUuk
stound lts ioregUatcrs aud fairly lIlrd a.
Through. The l.it.c thing trOr,ga Oh seemingly
gulic cpuieHic4, aud dom latIcalCd Itself with
tho coz,u Iu ihu corral
hc settled down lur the evening. which the
fnace rendered lt-. mOuot0uous by recauutiug
haa1u- anecdotes Ul former hunts. bul sent A
81. Eiyat,i iHI'll through ouI hearts by the
promise pl q hunt with guns on The morrow.
It SAID thui The King had given permission
lof ua To shoot Do WC wished TO- lip IfHa
Prince. olG not CaTC i0T such snort. De w0uId
start the hunters 90 with their drivers next
uoITiHg, and he ordered The servants 10 bring
ln ihe gums. Five h.Hds9mc English elephant
gLha were produced. criticised aud selections
made py ihc thrlo himllds, s. Io refined 10
sleep HHd cream VI great iuats and mount. .us
~ ei lhani tusEs My dreams were iu.I oil the
Rhythm 81 a certain book. dear 10 luv cL Id
heol hous' entitled AI. Iim," I'm which be
telhs elephants ls pursued ly them. takes
refuge ln tree, etc.
lhe morning daWned clear aud hot. but
nothing dauutcu wC prepared for action. After
o simple breakfast our three elephants. with
thcif drivers, appeared, minus tho huNdan.
VIC were p'yErd up aud seated upon tire neck
Just back oi The driver where we sat agtraddIc
cIHgiug Will our hands 60 the antIc folds or
the skin OF lts neck. The driver Lad the rifle
hlunP on las BACK, and thus We started of at a
bnsk lrUt. The sagJeiUus beast plunged along.
evidently knowing iust what We wauted for
occasionally be would throw his trunk aloit