and ran up the trees
like so many monkeys, just as I had jumped on one side and caught the
young elephant by the tail. He was far too strong for me to hold, and,
although I dug my heels into the ground and held on with all my might,
he fairly ran away with me through the forest. Carrasi now came to my
assistance and likewise held on by his tail; but away we went like the
tender to a steam-engine; wherever the elephant went there we were
dragged in company. Another man now came to the rescue; but his
assistance was not of the slightest rise, as the animal was so powerful
and of such weight that he could have run away with half a dozen of us
unless his legs were tied. Unfortunately we had no rope, or I could
have secured him immediately, and seeing that we had no power over him
whatever, I was obliged to run back for one of the guns to shoot him.
On my return it was laughable to see the pace at which he was running
away with the two men, who were holding on to his tail like grim death,
the elephant not having ceased roaring during the run. I accordingly
settled him, and returned to have a little conversation with the
rascals were still perched in the trees. I was extremely annoyed, as
these people, if they had possessed a grain of sense, might have tied
their long comboys (cotton cloths about eight feet long) together, and
we might have thus secured the elephant without difficulty by tying his
hind legs. It was a great loss, as he was so tame that he might have
been domesticated and driven to Newera Ellia without the slightest
trouble. All this was occasioned by the cowardice of these villainous
Cingalese, and upon my lecturing one fellow on his conduct he began to
laugh. This was too much for any person's patience, and I began to look
for a stick, which the fellow perceiving he immediately started off
through the forest like a deer. He could run faster than I could,
being naked and having the advantage of bare feet; but I knew I could
run him down in the course of time, especially as, being in a fright,
he would soon get blown. We had a most animated hunt through water,
mud, roots of trees, open forest and all kinds of ground, but I ran
into him at last in heavy ground, and I dare say he recollects the day
of the month.

In the mean time, Palliser had heard the roaring of the elephant,
followed by the screaming and yelling of the coolies, and succeeded by
a shot. Shortly after he heard the prolonged yells of