KOOMKIES, OR DECOY ELEPHANTS, CATCHING A MALE. 35
m a t t e r which, I'roin its nature, cannot be closely investigaled, we imist follow
the most reasonable presumplions : time may enable us to ascorlain those
minutiae at present withheld from our knowledge; especially as the breed
established at Tipperah, by Mr. John Corse, is likely to become numerous.
T l i e koojukies dispatched should be as nearly as possible the size of ihe nmm
to be taken, K muhont does not like to venture, unless among ample luiinbers,
on such desperaLe service, if his koomk'ie bear not a due proportion as Lo bulk ;
on which, as also on ihc footing of at tachment created between himself and iiis
cliargo, which is generally au object of very great solicitude and atteulion, not
only his success, but his very existence depends. When the koomkies are within
a foot, or a fool and a half, as high as the nuile to be caught, two will generally
suffice ; thougli a third is rarely objected to as superfluous.
E a c h mohout is provided with a black blanket , and a small quunlily of strong
rope, proper for securing the saun; the ordinary paintings of red and dun
oaker on the elephants faces, and every thing which could create in the male
t h e least suspicion of domestication, are carefully removed. The mohouis,
covered with their blankets, crouch in such manner as not lo be easily distinguished
from the animals they arc on ; and perhaps, if the situation be favoura
b l e to ihe measure, both the koomJde and her driver furnish themselves with
g r e e n boughs, which the former carries in her trunk, playing with it in such a
manner as to favour the concealment of the latter. Though on some occasions
the mohouis accompany the koomkies up to ihe sauii, yet it is safer, and
g e n e r a l l y the most sure and easy mode, for them to dismount in some contiguous
cover wi t h their blankets and ropes, leading the koomkies to the saun, towards
w h i c h they procecd in the most cunning style.
A majestic scene now presents itself; the koomkies begin to caress the saun,
r a i s i ng his passions by the most libidinous demeanour. During this scene of
c o u r t s h i p , however, they fail not lo place themselves in such manner as to
f a v o u r the approach of the w/o/io«/,«; who, watching their opportunities, pass
t h e ropes wi t h wondrous dexterity round the fore legs of the saun, which being
elated wilh his good fortune, and losing all sense but that of enjoymenl, is
s p e e d i l y secured. When a large tree is at hand, the koomkies artfully lead
t h e saun towards it, in the first instance ; whence not only the approach of the
mohouts is greally facilitated, but an opportunity is afforded him, in the course
of dal l iance, while the suuu, like many a love-sick swain, has his thought s any
w h e r e but where they should be, of affixing to his hind legs a pair of wooden
clasps having spikes within them, and joined lo a strong rope, which is passed
r o u n d the tree, and made completely fast; leaving the saun but little scope to
move round. During ihis process, the conduct of the koomkies is peculiarly
a r t f u l . They not only exerl themselves wi t h aslouishing address lo divert the
a t l e n t i o n of the saun, and lo cut off his view downwards by means of their
t r u n k s , but they even aid in effecting the ligatures therewith, passing the rope
a t limes, when the mohouis might either be exposed to dauger, or unable to
reaeli it. The clasps for the hind legs are made with a joint in llieir mi<ldle,
g e n e r a l l y of rope, ntiil the .small iron spikes witliin them, being nothing more
lhan the ends of nails driven ihrougli iJie wood from tlui oul.^ide, «lo not give
any uneasiness except when the saun makes uii effort to move forward ; at
whicii time the clasps being brought against the limb by the strainitig of the
rope, the spikes arc pressed into the ankle, and causc such pain as lo dishcarl<-ti
t h e animal from frequent or forcible exertions.
N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g every precaution, and the vigilance of the koomkies, it
somelimes happens that the saun cither sees, hears, feels, or sni<-ll» the mohouis;
in which case not even the caresses of the " agreeable <le(;(:iver.s" can con Iron I
his violence. This is a severe trial oi' the fortitude and fidelily of the koomkies;
wliieii have been known to expose tlietnsclves to tlic sauux utmost fury, to
ellect the escape of the mohouis, who do not rctpiire much urging on such occasions
to make a most precipitate rclreat! Soinelime.s thn saun, indignant and
b i g with rage, forgelting the difference of sex, uses his teeth williout mercy;
g o r i n g the koomkies desperately, and twisting their tails wilh his t runk: I
believe instances have occurred of iheir being killed. One would conclude, thai,
a f t e r such a failure, koomkies would be with diiliciilty induced, al anv future
perio<l, to approach a saun; but, though I have heard of instances of their
r e t u r n i n g to the same male, after such severe mal-trealmenl by him, 1 have no!
been able lo learn that any ever were so far intimidated as to be less \villirig to
resume their functions whenever recfuired.
The reader will, fi'om the annexed Plate, in ihe execution of which .\Jr.
Howitt has been uncommonly .successful, and which those well acipiainted
wilh the construction, figure, and disposition of the elephant, must confess to
surpass every other attempt lo pourtray, be enabled lo form a very correct
idea of ihis wonderful and dangerous practice; an«! 1 ihtnk will coincide in
the opinion, thai no species of deception, for ihe pur[)ose of ensnaring wild
animals, can be brought into comparison on the occasion. All else is trick or
p l a y ; whereas the conduct of ihe koomkie is an object of admiration, creating
an interest not to be exceeded, and overwhelming our minds with an infinity
of curious and intricate reflections.
Mohouts arc lo deal in the marvellous, and their accounts must be received
w i l h caution. Sensible of the high estimation in which the understanding of
elephants is held, they scruple not to invent numerous fables for the amusemenl
of their wondering audiences, who eagerly devour I h em. Perhaps, after great
. frequency of detail, the invenlor, by crediting his own invenlioii, becotnes a
dupe lo himself. However, when they relate their wonders to Europeans, whom
they well know to have more discrimination than the natives, and indeed to be
on most subjects better informed, they ordinaril y refrain from extremes, though
they cannot withhold tiiose extraordinary tales in which ihey, (either as a
matter of remote tradition, or which having been vouched for by friends who
had them from others, who were well ac<iuainted wilh parties, whose great