30 D R I V I N G ELEPHANTS INTO A KEDDAH.
Formerly ¡1 was llie praclicc lo reilucc the elepliunLs lo submission bj' slarviii"
tlieiii, iiiilil, l)y means of large tame ones, they could be bound iiulividually
wilh strong ropes, and be faslcnccl Lo large trees, growing either in or near lo
t h e keddali. The intended mohoul (or driver) of each then supplied his
respective charge with choice food, gradually hahilualing him lo his voice and
touch, and ultimately rendering him completely liimiliar. Tluis, in course of
time, the animal would answer to his name, lie down and rise again when
commanded, ami even allow ihc mohout to sit on his back. When siitEcienlly
reconciled, (he elephant was allowed more scopo, and ultimately driven out to
water, and accustomed to bear a small load of grass or boughs for his own diet.
The latter ])arl of this process, which is founded in reason, will probably
ever remain in force; but it has been found, that the system of starvation was
totally repiignant to the noble disposition of ihe animal; and that, although
liis coporeal ])owcrs might, be thus overcome, yet his anger was considerably
aggravated. Nor Mas this the only objection ; for during the continuance of
the ligatures, and cousc(juenlly of the state of mental irritation, which rendered
approach extremely diflicult, and absolutely debarred all medical or chirurgical
assistance, such dangerous wounds were created about the ancles, as freipiently
destroyed a large portion of the injured par t ; and, if the residue were so fortunate
as to escape being nuiimed, they wer e often so mutilated, as to become unsaleable.
Nor should it be forgotten, that this process, requiring so much more
time, occasioned an additional expense on account of servants, food, &c.
I t could not, however, be expected that, in the infancy of the speculation,
mailers sliould be conducted on the most eflicacious principles; especially in tlie
band^ of the natives; ^vlu^, ihough possessing astonishing application, and quickness,
yet arc considerably deficient in enterprise, and have, like a large half of
the western world, a great ])rc(lileclion for the absurdities of their fore-fathers.
Some European gentlemen, at length, became sharers in the concern, and for
some time loft tbe managemenl to their native colleagues; satisfying themselves
ivith a luuulsome prolil. and declining to enter into an investigation of the subject
farther than nu^rcly to enquire to what the atuiual clear gain amounted.
Whether they were actuated by humanity, or by an opinion that elepiiants
might, like horses, dogs, &c. become more tractable, by good usage, an experiment
was made with a vie^v of ascertaining how far it would he preferable
to adopt soothing means, in lieu of tliose harsh practices then prevalent. The
result was such as raigiit be expected ; the elephant became more tradable, tlie
period of restriction was much shortened, and the expense greatly reduced; while
the profit was in proportion augmented. The success of this trial ])roduced an
immediate change of measures; and it is now become a point with the dealer
m elephants lo retain them longer in the keddah, feeding them well, and
omitting no inducement to render the animals gentle. Thus tlie whole arc
kept in better plight, their ilisposilions are rather ameliorated than soured, and
tliey not only prove more marketable, but also more serviceable.
But even from this plan, the exccllcnce of which is obvious, there will occasionally
be deviations; some elephants are of dispositions so morose, that although
they may be made to work well, yet they will frequently during a paroxysm
do much mischief, and even destroy their drivers without the least provocation.
And it is extremely curious that sometimes their tempers take a complete
revei-se ! Of this a proof is found in the deportment of a very line male
elephant in the possession of a gentleman at Chittagong, which he endeavoured
for two years, in vain, to render tractable. He was repeatedly ollered for sale
at a low price, but his character was so well known that none would purchase
him. It is customary in lhat district to have the fire wood, which is cut into
stumps of about a foot or less in diameter, and perhaps five or six feet long,
piled regularly ; and this work is usually performed by elephants ; which,
when properly trained, they \vill execute it as well as any labourers. Tlie
animal in question could not be induced to perform this drudgery; and all
attempts to enforce his obedience having proved useless, his master at last gave
u p the point. To his utter astonishment the elephant became suddenly good
tempered, and went of his own free will to the wood yard, where he not only
exerted himself greatly, but was in the regularity of his work, at least e(jual to
those which had had more practice.
'WTien an elephant is in a proper stale to be removed from the keddah, he is
conducted either by koomkies (i. e. decoy females) or by tame males, lo a part,
whence there is an opening into a smaller area, or passage, in which he is
retained for a farther time, if needful; or, eventually conducted forth, under
proper ])recautions, to the place where he is to be picketted ; this is generally
done between two well trained elephants. Here the jnohout having free access,
redoubles his caresses, and rarely fails, in a short time, lo become not merely an
object of indiflerence, but absolutely a favourite ! In the description of Plat e X.
an incident will be lound recorded, evincing the great attachment and subordination
of an elephant, which, at the distance of four years, was recognized
by, and submitted lo, its 77wltout.
With regard to the other modes of catching elephants, the reader is referred
to the Nundj e r above quoted, in which the interesting particulars will be found
fully detailed, the recital of which would exceed the limits of the present.
The prices of elephants vary extremely ; but as the Honourable Company
allow five hundred sicca rupees (equal to about sixty guineas) for such as the
contractor supplies for the service of the army, and which must be at least seven
feet high at the shoulder, it constitutes a kind of standard rate among the
dealers, for such as are not of a superior class. However, as there is an iniinile
number of points, whicli, in the eye of a native, render an elephant more
or less valuable, there can be no al)solutc rule whereby lo estimate the intrinsic
worth. Indeed, in this business, as in all others, much must depend on the
state of the markets, which may easily be over-stocked. As it may seiTe lo
g r a t i f y the reader's curiosity, I shall enumerate the marks, &c. by whicli the