The San Francisco call., 1896-11-22

BANGKOK, SIAM, Oct. 15.-After read.
ing the heading OF this article the mind oi
the reader may ramble back to some book
or story that has been read describing
elephant hunts as they have been con-
Quoted in certain parts of India, by dig
ging large pits into which the poor ami
mails are driven. Unlike the elephants that
are trapped in pits mostly for their ivory,
these caught here in Siam are afterwsrd
trained and used in various ways.
The hunts are now looked forward to as
an annual event, and the time, although
not definite, is as near the beginning OF
the rainy season as possible, which is
about the 1st of May. On account of the
intense heat, and the great numbers of
these animals being crowded together, if
they were caught at any other time of the
year, numbers of them would doubtless
die
A number of tame tuskers are ridden
into the country, the distance to be COW
cred having been previously determined,
and returning they beat through the brush
and jungle, all headed for Ayuthia, the
old capital of Siam, where the inclosure or
paneat, as it is called by the Siamese, is
situated. In this way they gather to-
gether herd OF wild elephants that some
times number nearly three hundred. AS
the herd nears Ayuthia the day for driv-
ing them into the paneat is set by the OFF,
cial in charge. Meanwhile the elephants
are ke pt in the forest near by, easily
guarded by the mahouts elephant riders).
who are mounted on few tame animals.
1t might be well just here for the benefit
of the reader TO give short description of
the paneat. This inclosure, which is
made of brick, is almost square, and is
situated in the outskirts of the city. It's
outer and inner walls are about II feet
high and about 10 feet apart, the space be-
tween being filled IN to within three feet
of the top, steps having been built up to
the top from the outside.
These walls make an excellent position
from which to view the proceedings. The
walls inclose piece of ground equal TO
about an acre, inside of which teak logs
are driven into the ground about eighteen
inches apart and about twelve feet from
the wells, entirely around, with the ex-
ception of breaks necessary for the gates
and passageways. This is done in order
that men may be stationed in this opening
to assist those who are inside. The pas
sageways are made by two rows of posts
being placed far enough apart to allow
one elephant to pass through at time.
The gates are made by hanging logs by
pivots at the top, two logs at each end of
a passageway. When opened they are
swung from each other. When it is desir-
able an animal can be Gagged in one of
these passageways by loose ming the logs
at each end, which, being swung toward
the center, make perfect trap, in which
the elephant is almost helpless, as it is i'm
possible TO turn around.
Outside of the paneat is wedge-sha ped
paddock built OF strong posts. The apex
of the paddock joins one OF the passage.
ways (above described). At the opposite
side of this entrance upon the wall is an
open building. or Royal Sala, as it is
called, from which the King, Siamese
officials and also Europeans view the pro-
ceedings.
Long before the elephants are in sight
the walls OF the paneat are well crowded
with people awaiting to view the catch.
The gay throng is sight well worth
seeing, the pretty and well formed
maidens in their glossy panungs "a gar
uouL SOIu0WudG llhe Tile IdSHlOudDlo
bloomerl and bright fetching waist scarfs
wrapped around their plump bodies or
thrown over the shoulders, exposing their
round arms and perfect shoulders, which
many of their white sisters woul0 Justly
envy. Then again is the more modest
matron wearing tight-6tting jacket, with
the scarf also, and the men, some OF
whom have nothing on but the panung,
but for such an occasion most OF them
manage to wear a jacket. These happy
and contented people seldom wear either
stockings or shoes, except the upper
classes, whose costumes at times are very
elaborate. Imagine such scene, if you
can, all the various bright colors produc-
ing kal, idoscopic effect rarely seen.
After several false alarms the herd OF
elephants is seen moving into the opening