The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-10

: gave US a good deal of trouble, and also
threatened to undo all our work He was
therefore promptly shot. On the night of
July IL, 1897, we finally got them into the
head of the trap and it was then impossi-
bic for them to get away. The shouting
letting of guns, and fire-cracl1ers and beat
ing of tom-toms was then deafening, and
with a rush the elephants fled before it
right into the trap When the door was
closed and made fast fifteen huge animals
were found to be inclosed.
Then came a fortnight's feast Word
was sent to the Sultan and he came with
his suite in state to congratulate me on
my success, and I was then indeed looked
upon as sort of god by these people of
the jungle.
Huts were built for the Sultan and bls
suite, and large shed was erected. whers
dancing by the court girls, wrestling,
sword fighting, spear throwing, cock fight
ing, and, in fact, all manner of amuse-
ment went on for two weeks. There was
an incessant beating of drums, tom-toms.
etc. Presents were distributed among the
hunters, such as cloth. rice, money. to.
bacco. guns and knives.
In the meantime. I was busy construct
ing the stocks, quarter of a mile awav
from the trap. The elephants had been
half starved to make the task of bringing
them to the stocks a little lighter This
was no easy or light task, as the ele-
plants were very dangerous and. be-
sides, had no trained elephants to work
with. An opening was made in the side
of the trap four or four and a half feet
wide and on each side a stockade about
ten feet long was built 1t was provided
with sliding bars at each end. Tempting
food was strewn along the ground to the
end of the stockade. Once an elephant
had been thus lured into it, the bars were
quickly slid into place. The elephant was
then roped well, his feet were hobbled or
tied together, his trunk was caught and
| fastened to one of his forelegs, and a long
rope was made fast around his body and
neck and to each leg. The hobbies being
loosed little, he was led and dragged 10
tie stocks. These We're under a large
shed, and consisted of two large uprighrs
fitting closely to the neck and back of the
ears of the elephant, two at the hind
quarters, two on each side, with a bar in
front across the chest, one across the
headquarters, and one under his body
close to his fore legs. The elephant was
then in such a posture that 1T was impos-
sible for him TO move forward or back
ward or sideways, or to lie down. In this
posture he was kept for three weeks CT
more Each and every elephant has 10
go through a certain amount of punish
ment and in that posture being harm
off to look after him. There are two men
to each elephant, and they must never
leave him alone. They must feed, pet and
punish him. must talk with him and must
get on and off his neck, and so accustom
him to man.
After three weeks in the stocks a rope
with a running or slip knot was fastened
around his trunk close to his mouth, the
hobbies were loosened a long rope was
made fast to each leg, the poles back
of his ears and under his body were taken
away, and with ten or fifteen men hold
ing each rope he was backed out of the
stocks. He was then pulled from right to
left and led forward for about two hours,
his keepers shouting and beating him all
the time. He was then fastened to
tree, and big meal was given to him.
The next day he had to go through the
same lesson, and If he took to it and did
not give too much trouble (Which, by the
way. they seldom do after going through
what they have the hobbies were taken
from his feet and only shoulder hobbies
We're left on. At this stage the pretty
we'll subdued elephants may be approach
ed, fed, and petted at will and without
fear. Of course, there are some who do
not give in so soon, and have to receive
longer and severe punishment.
By the middle of October ! sent down
TO Singapore to be reshipped. perfectly
tame and broken, two elephants for Java
(the babes), four for Bombay for ma"
tive Prince, and four for Madras for the
Rajah of Mysore. 1t is with no small
pride that 1 say that from the night OF
their capture. July u, to the middle OF
October / broke in these elephants so
that they could be handled and would get
down on all fours to allow a pack saddle
to be fastened on their backs.
OF the fifteen that were caught ten were
shipped away, two died, and the remain
ing three l have broken in, as l intend
to use them in my next hunt.