Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-14
ELEPHANT TANNING.
HOW THE GREAT BEAST is CAPTURED
AND DoMEsTlcATE0.

ducing Him to submission-H How Man
Wins His Friendship by Deception.
At Ayuthia, in Siam, is situated the
great elephant corral, where the wild ele-
plants are not only captured, but also re-
duoed to subsection. The elephant Is Lat
urally one of the subjects Of greatest in
terest to the traveller in Siam, for in no
other country, save perhaps India, can
this animal be seen to such advantage.
Some years ago herds of wild elephants
were large and numerous, but tho number
of herds is now greatly diminished, and
the herds themselves are smaller. This
diminution is mainly due to the fact that
there is an increasing demand for the Gle
plants labor, while, on the other hand,
they rarely breed in captivity. All of the
herds of roaming elephants now practical
ly belong to the king. They inhabit the
northern part of the kingdom, and al
though not domesticated are not SO wild
Us they formerly were.
When there is necessity for the capture
Of number of these, or when there Is
some celebrated parsonage visiting at the
Siamese court, the king may order an ele-
plant hunt, which is engaged in by thou
sands Of persons and numbers Of domesti-
Gated elephants. The capture Is effected
by surrounding and driving herd to thiS
strong corral at Ayuthia. Sometimes the
herd is driven distance of over 100 miles,
and zest is given to the hunt on account
of tho danger that attends it. Rarely Is
there an elephant hunt which does not re-
suit in the death of one or two persons
and the wounding Of many more.
bn nrtTr Go 1Hy mi
under the control of certain well tried cap
tains of divisions. They proceed to the
neighborhood of that herd from which it
is intended to make the capture and draw
u Gordon about the entire herd Among
the elephants taken to assist in tho hunt
arc certain animals that have been latest
captured and who are only half tanned.
These are now loosed and driven into the
forest, where they soon mcet and frater-
nize with the wilder animals for very
likely some Of these half tanned animals
have recently belonged to this herd.
After short time, in which to allow
tho two classes of animals to become &C
quainted with each other, the hunters
commence closing in, at the same time
shouting, beating gongs and firing mus
kets loaded only with blank cartridges.
The herd become confused. No matter
which way they turn they meet these ir-
regular sounds Finally the Gordon breaks
away on that side toward which 1t is in
tended to drive the herd. The word OF
command Is now given to the half tanned
elephants, mingled with the wild ones-a
word of command which they instructive
ly obey-and these start forthwith, lead
ing the herd in the desired direction.
The corral Is large Enclosure formed OF
a stockade Of heavy tree trunks, each
about 10 to II inches in diameter. These
are planted deep In the ground and extend
On height some 10 to Is feet. The entire
corral is surrounded by high embank-
ment, walled, and just outside of this Is a
large pavilion from which the royal party
and other invited spectators may In safety
witness the capture.
The herd having been safely corralled,
the domesticated elephants are now d.
vested Of their howdahs or saddles and
are also sent into the Enclosure, and the
gateway is made secure. Then by word Of
command these well tanned elephants fall
upon and beat the others, driving them
here and there within the stockade. The
frightened and Infatuated animals exert
all their strength in efforts to pull up or
break down the barriers and are soon
much fatigued. The hunters now, slip
ping in and out between the posts Of the
stockade place here and there, well with
In the Enclosure, stout nooses made of hido
and MANILA rope, and In this manner sue
coed in ensnaring, by one of the feet, those
animals that it Is desired to capture. Tho
moose being got once about the ami
mails foot, he Is, from the outside Of the
inclosure hauled bodily to the nearest part
of the stockade, elephants assisting on the
line if necessary, and is there left secured
until the entire lot have been captured. 1t
is in this part Of the proceeding that the
greatest number of accidents occur. for
the hunters, feeling that the eyes Of the
people are upon them, become reckless in
their movements and place themselves in
positions where false step means to be
hurled against the barriers or else tram
pied to death.
The animals having been thus secured,
the gateway is unbarred, and the herd are
as rapidly driven back to the locality from
which they came by hunters especially de-
tailed for this purpose.
The operation of tanning Is q longer
process. One Of the animals that has been
secured Is taken to this central stockade
or alleyway. First, however, each foot Is
1assoed with long ropes, and these are
held, II necessary, by the tanned elephants,
who drag the poor beast between the two
rows Of piles. His terrible trunk cannot
be fastened in any way, but each foot Is
firmly tied to a post, whereupon the men
themselves retire from the corral, leaving
two or three Of the most trustworthy ele-
plants within the stockade to torment the
captive. These, now obedient to orders
which they receive from their masters,
proceed to lash the captive elephant with
their trunks, while the poor thing is pow
erless to retaliate.
After this tormenting has been carried
on for some time the Siamese who is in
future to act as keeper to this elephant
comes into the corral and drives the tor
mentors away. The man now brings
buckets of cold water and throws them
upon the animals heated sides, speaks to
him kindly and brings him bundles of
grass. He even strokes the rough legs,
taking care, however, to keep well out Of
reach of the terrible proboscis.
The man now retires and the tormentors
are ordered to return. Again they lash
the captive into frenzy, and again the
keeper drives them away, pets and cools
the animal. This process Is continued for
greater or less number of times, accord
ing to the disposition of the animal who
finally reasons with himself and arrives at
the conclusion that this man is his friend,
L H. l. 4 a.