Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-01-08

The excitement and interest were IN
tense.
Repeatedly some of the elephants
made determined attempts to break
through the lines of the coolies, but
were met with Yolleys from the guns
and loud cheers from the heaters, who
rushed toward the huge beasts and by
their courage and bold front awed and
turned them once more toward the
stOckade
Finally the largest and most fero-
cious elephant, which had been leading
the herd, fade mad rush for the patch
of dense green jungle ahead, which dis
guised the entrance to the stockade.
There followed a tremendous crash
and cracking of breaking branches,
vines and jungle growth, seemingly
right about our stand.
The gigantic leader of the herd
rushed toward the grand stand, fol-
lowed rapidly by the whole herd in
single file.
The coolies swarmed around the
outside of the stockade beneath the
grand stand, and with vOlleys from
their guns and with spears and loud
shouting turned the course Of the ele
plants and prevented their breaking
down or attacking any portion of the
stockade They frequently had to use
their spears to rive the Infatuated ami
mails away.
The elephants continued to circle
about, one tiny one trotting around
after it's mother in an amusing man.
ner.
At last they huddled together in the
thickest of the remaining Jungle
Immediately after the last elephant
had passed through the gate into the
stockade the coolies rapidly lighted
fires, shot volleys of blank ammuni-
ton and quickly planted posts and
supports bound together, thus effectu-
ally closing the gateway.
! Capture of Jungle Kings.
After a short interval of noosing be
gan, it being best done shortly after
the first mad rushing and before the
animals got over their fright or have
trodden down all the jungle with the
stockade.
Half dozen elephants entered the
stockade, two natives riding upon
each and a dozen natives following
upon foot, armed with spears for self
| defense.
The tame elephants had rope collars
and a rope surcingle, with loops for the
riders to hold on by A tarred rope,
with a running moose, was attached
to the rope collar the herd was kept
moving about, and as opportunity Of
| fered the natives on foot, from be-
tween the legs of the tame elephants,
| slipped the noOSes between the 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 a big tree, where
they screamed pulled and beloved
Justify. Strong tarred ropes were tied
around the necks and bodies of the
captives, then tied to the rope collars
of the two tame elephants, after which
the wild elephants were united from
the tree. Then they were marched off
between the two tame ones, followed
by third tame elephant, which helped
with an occasional push when neceS-
sary.
One of the baby elephants was very
plucky and not at all easy to secure.
The largest Of the elephants in the
kraal measured Is feet in height.
After several months of captivity,
chained by a forefoot to stout tree
and under the care and training of a
keeper, they will be disposed of or
hired out by their captors and used
for dragging big timber or other
heavy work. Some of the younger ones
are sold to dealers in animals, who
train them for the circus, etc.
On the spot they are worth, accord
ing to the temper displayed, age, etc.,
from 200 to 500 rupees Ga rupee is 80
cents in United States money!. Four
months later they are worth several
times the price of the kraal but in the
meantime have necessitated cOnsidera-
BILE expense in removing and training
them.
The government receives a royalty
of 10, rupees for each elephant kraaled.
A kraal entails considerable hard
ships on the little army of beaters,
with more Or less loss of life or limb.
The beaters are villagers, chiefly Gin
galese, who are compelled by their SUI
periors to leave their homes, perhaps
never to return, and assist in the
kraaling, sometimes being absent fo1
months without compensation and
| compelled to carry their own provi-
sions or go hungry, and all for moth
ing; simply in obedience to the ola
! law of Rajakariya.
These villagers, during the kraal,
| build small shelter Of leaves and
cook and live on the spot. Their Shelf
ers are few feet apart and several
coolies live in each A minor heads
| man has charge Of and guides the men