An Elephant Hunt In Siam.

AN ELEPHANT HUNT IN SIAM .

( Continued from page 32 . ) After a feAV hours' sleep Ave returned to the trap about ten o ' clock in the morning , and found in place of the green and turfy alleys of the preceding day , nothing but a range of black trees , and even five or six of these had been all bent under the

tremendous pressure of these enormous creatures . We had not been long on the terrace Avhen the guests arrived , and the capture of the animals was begun . One of the elephants Avas three feet taller than any of his companions ; he Avas one of those Avho showed such rancour

against the little pagoda the preceding evening , and the Regent had designated him as the first one to be caught . Two of the tame elephants IIOAV advanced Avith two armed drivers on each , the front driver having a strong bent hook in his

hand , the other man in a crouching posture and holding a pole about eight yards long ; this pole Avas flattened at the end , and around it Avas rolled a strong rope forty yards long , made of thongs of rhinoceros and elephant hide .

One animal entered by the eastern , the other by the Avestern gate . The intelligence of these animals Avas something extraordinary . A word , a sign Avas enough

for them . They had IIOAV arrived behind the animal they Avanted to catch , and making him Avalk , the men took advantage of the moment Avhen he lifted his hind feet , to pass a running knot round his hams , by means of their spear . Having done this , the coil of the rope Avas throAvn to the Siamese in the

alleys and made fast to one of the trees . When this was accomplished , the Avestern gate Avas opened once more , and all the elephants Avent out of the trap to bathe in the pond , and to feed on Avhatever young plants they could find around it . A circle

of their treacherous companions at every ten paces remained as silent and immoA'able as veritable sphinxes , an 1 hindered them from going outside the allotted boundary . The Avild herd Avas , for the most part , composed of femalesa bull elephant

havino-, generally from fifteen to tAventy—a fact Avhich Avill explain Avhy it was impossible for four hundred of these animals to revolt against three hundred bull elephants chosen from the royal Siamese stables , .

which ahvays contain five thousand of these animals ready to take the field . Besides , the hunt nevor takes place during the pairing season , as it Avould be impossible for the elephant hunters to succeed . When the pit Avas entirely empty and the captive saAV himself cut off from his

companions and his little ones , he set up a terrible cry , and made a rush for the door through Avhich the last elepliant had just disappeared . The rope tightened , his legs Avere pulled different Avays , and he fell on his fore knees heavily to the ground ; three

times did he try the same experiment with the same result . He belloAved and ploughed up the ground with his tusks , but no force can break these thongs , Avhich are made of elephant skins .

vv hen he realized his position he turned all his rage against the stakes , but had to rest at the end of a quarter of an hour . After an hour and a half the ropes Avere loosened from the stakes , and the eastern gate opened . He then made a rush for it , thinking he AA as freebut only dragged his

, chains Avith him , for beyond the door AA ere tAvo elephants on each side , like two policemen , each having an enormous collar of rattans , Avhile a third stood right in front , and prevented any further movement on the captive ' s part .

While he tried to overcome these neAY obstacles , the keepers put a similar collar round his neck , and another on Iris back , and then tied him to his two companions ; the third one cleared the way , and , taking a position behind , shoved on the poor captivewhile the other two dragged him

, toAvards the southern shed , or sola , prepared for the occasion . It Avas exactly like three policemen conducting a troublesome prisoner to the station . In the shed he Avas tied to a strong stake , his fore feet fetteredand then given into the charge of

, his keeper . The Avhole proceeding occupied about three hours . Two other elephants Avere taken in the same manner , but one of them had a desperate fight Avith his antagonists before he Avas captured . Every time one of the tame elephants AVOUM

approach , he Avould rush at him Avith his tusks ; he Avas received in the same savage fashion , and they came together Avith a dull thud . Four domesticated elephants Avere Avorsted in the fi ght , and had to be taken off the field ; Avith the fifth , the struggling animal lost one of his tusks ,