The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-30
CAPTURING ELEPHANTS.
IFrom the Baltimore sun.l


In the interior of Ceylon I had rather
a novel experience, that OF witnessing an
elephant kraaI.
Several weeks previously two herds of
elephants had been surrounded by same
800 native coolies under the orders OF
their Observation-Disclosures preparatory to
the kraaling. The plot of wilderness and
Jungle surrounded by the coolies extended
acres.
Every night by firing blank ammuni.
loud shouting. the elephants were driven
several hundred yards nearer 10 an I'M
lie or less from the Tnouth Of the stock
ads This chase sometimes requires more
than two months.
The circle OF coolies then opens and in
closes within its ranks the entire stock
ade- This stOckade was built OF stout
in the ground at a distance Of two feet
apart These tree posts projected some
fourteen feet above the earth and we're
reinforced by three parallel lines OF
horizontal CTosspieces, securely tied to
Lne posts with Wtld vines eIlu cree, cree e4eI5. T.
the ground and having hoIlzonIal cross
pieces also bound to them The sUOckade
square and built in a jungle, with its en-
trance disguised to appear as the th1ckesr
game was from So to 70 feet wide and at
the north side of the stockade-
Beyond the stockade on the south, op-
posfte its entrance was "Kraal Town.
Sehicb consisted of several dozens of ma
built Of palm leaves and lined inside with
white cloth. an temporary for the occas-
ion. The Bungalows were gayly decorat-
ed with bunting and hags- A KIND OF
f-randstand had been erected just outside
the s1ockade. on the south side, next to
-Eraal Town
About & a. ua-. we hastened to the grand
stand The driye-in had already COM
meuced. the shouts of the beaJers and
All sides. The beaters came nearer and
nearer the CRACKING trees. vines and Jun %
gle growth became terrlnc as tne fusLll5S
elephants approached near to the stock
f~rer,ss Tser9,zarafilyr some Of the ele-
plants made determined attempts TO
We're met with volleys from the guns and
loud cheers from the beaters. who rushed
age and bold front awed and turned them
once more toward the stockade
made a mad rush for the patc6 Of dense
slrse1 irIneIe abead which disgllised The
"a tremendous crash and cracking of
breaking branches. vines and jungle
growth. seemingly right about our stand
The gigantic leader of the herd rushed
by the whole herd in single file: The cool
les swarmed around the outside of the
Stockade beneath the grand stand and
with volleys from their guns and with
course Of the elephants and prevented
their preaking down or atIacAlng any
poruou OF Ine SIocNaue- lht-N lree liell ttS
had TO use their spears to drive the in
furiated animals away. The elephants
continued to circle about one uny one
trotung around after its mother in an
together In The thickest of the remaining
Imme ediately after the last elephant had
passed through the gate into the stock
ade the coolies rapidly lighted fires. shot
VoIleys of blank ammunition and quickly
planted posts and supports bound together
thus effectualfy closing the gateway
After q short interval the nOOSing be
Ean. IT being best done shortly after the
first mad rushing and before the animals
get over their fright or have trOdden
down all the jungle in the stockade.
Half a dozen tame elephants entered
the stockade, two natives riding upon
each and a dozen natives following on
foot. armed with spears for self-defense-
and a rope surcingle. with loops for the
riders to hold on by A tarred rope, with
q running moose was attached to the rope
collar. the herd was kept moving about.
and opportunity offered the natives on
foot. from between the legs of the tame
hind feet OF the wild elephants when
raised This was rather dangerous work,
many attempts and failures preceding the
final capture. Frequent kicks of the wild
elephants sent natives sprawling.
When nOoSed the wild elephants were
tied first by one hind foot and then by
the other. to big tree. where they
Strong 1arred ropes were tied around the
necks and bodies of the captives
then tied TO the rope collars of two tame
elephants. after which the wild elephants
were united from the tree. Then they
were marched on between the two tame
ones. followed by a third tame elephant
which helped with an occasional push
one OF the baby elephants was very