Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-03-12

Cambodian mandarin arrived for ele-
plant hunting. Although the natives
protested that the presence Of Chris
tian might render the hunting unsuc-
cessful, the Cambodan, Influenced no
doubt by some presents l made him, at
last consented to my participating in
the hunt.
''Ten aged and completely tanned ele-
plants were loaded with the imple-
ments for capturing their wild relations
and with baskets of provisions. An
adequate number Of men were got to-
gether. We then started for a region
whore wild elephants are numerous.
Our animals moved along in Indian file,
and the finest OF the lot, on which the
mandarin aud l were seated, brought up
the rear The other elephants had to
clear the way for us, which they did. by
breaking off the branches Of the trees
with their trunks. On we went over
hill and dale and rivers until we found
a fresh elephant trail, recognizable by
the recent breaking OF OF branches and
the trodden heritage.
"a halt was made. The animals were
unsaddled and the baggage was taker,
of and left in charge OF a number OF
men. The rest of us were ready for the
hunt. There was nothing left on the
elephant except cane the thickness OF
finger, which was wound around their
bodies TO give the riders some hold dur
ing the violent aud irregular motions OF
the animals. 1t was only with difficulty
that could prevail upon the mandarin TO
allow me to take with me my elephant
rifles. Wrapped up in OK hides, these
rifles were fastened to the elephant l
rode.
Each elephant was ridden by two
men. One, who was called the cap
turer, rode or stood on its back. The
other man was the guide, and he sat
right behind the neck OF the animal.
The capturer had long bamboo stick
which reached TO the ground, and to the
lower end OF which was attached loop
made Of twisted coco fibre. This loop
was attached to long line made OF
hide. and held by the capturer az about
the middle and by the guide at its other
end.
1--WE advanced with all speed on the
trail. Every moment l was in danger
OF being hurled to the ground by the
| branches Of trees. The capturers, the
guides; aud the mandarin knew how to
keep out Of the way OF danger. Often
I saw our guide lie down fat behind the
neck OF the animal, and the capturer
take hold Of It's tail and ride on the
! launches of the elephant so as not 70 De
scraped of. I expected every moment
70 be knocked TO the ground. man
aged to keep my seat, however, and at
last we reached an open, where we
found about twenty wild elephants,
yonng and old, which gave vent 70 their
surprise and fright By violent trumpet
| ings.
ave rode with the utmost speed right
into the herd. The guides, in order TO
spur their animals TO the utmost speed,
knocked upon their skulls with iron
spikes, which drew blood. The purpose
was to separate one OF the young ele
phants from the herd. l wish 10 say
here that wild elephants ia fighting
with tame ones are no towards, but they
behave with the greatest caution, be-
cause they seem 10 be aware OF the su
neriority Of opponents guided by human
beings. We soon succeeded in pushing
70 one side a Young animal and II:
mother, and Immediately several Of oul
] tame elephants tried 10 separate then
nv pushing In between them. The
mother tried 10 defend herself by blows
with her trunk. which, however, oui
men knew how to avoid. At last VIZ
succeeded in separating the two animals
1.-THE capturers. who stood upright
on the backs OF their elephants, low
tried 20 drag the loop OF TIE bamboo:
alopg the ground 50 that ia feet o. the
Young animal, which was running about