“The keddah, or trap, as it may be called, consists of three enclosures, each formed of strong stockades on the outside of deep ditches; the innermost one being the strongest, because by the time they arrive in it, the elephants are generally in a state of great excitement, and would soon break down a fragile enclosure, and make their escape.

“As soon as the herd has entered the first enclosure, strong barricades are erected across the entrance; and as there is no ditch at this point, the hunters take advantage of the remarkable dread which the animal has of fire, to scare them from this most vulnerable part of the fortification.  Fires are gradually lit all round the first enclosure, so that the only way of escape which is left is by the entrance to the second.

“At first, as if profiting by their former experience, they generally shun the entrance to the second of the series, but at last, seeing no other chance of escape, the leader of the herd ventures forward, and the rest follow.  The gate is instantly shut, and they are in the same manner driven into the third enclosure.  Finding no outlet from this they become desperate, scream with tremendous power, and seek to escape by violently attacking the sides of the stockade.  At all points, however, they are repulsed by lighted fires, and the tumultuous and exulting shouts of the triumphant hunters.

“In this place of confinement they remain for several days.  When their excitement has somewhat subsided, they are enticed one by one to enter a narrow passage leading to the second enclosure.  As soon as one enters in, the entrance is closed, and as the passage is so narrow that it cannot turn round, it soon fatigues itself by unavailing exertions to beat down the barrier.  Strong ropes with running nooses are now laid down, and no sooner does the animal put his foot within one of them, than the rope is drawn tight by some of the hunters who are stationed on a small scaffold which has been raised over the gateway.  In the same manner his other feet are secured.  When this has been effected, some of the hunters venture to approach, and tie his hind legs together.  Having thus secured him, they can with comparative safety complete their capture.  When he is completely secured he is placed between two tame elephants, and led away to the forest and fastened to a tree; and the same operation is repeated, till the whole herd has been secured.  At first the rage of the captive is extreme; so long as the animals between which he is led away prisoner remain with him he is comparatively quiet, but when he sees them depart, he is agitated with all the horrors of despair, and makes the most extravagant attempts to regain his liberty.  For some time he refuses to eat, but gradually becomes resigned, and feeds freely.

“A keeper is appointed to each animal, as they are secured.  His first object is to gain its confidence; supplying it regularly with food, pouring water over its body to keep it cool, and gradually accustoming it to caresses.  In the course of five or six weeks he generally obtains a complete ascendency over it; its fetters are removed by degrees, it knows his voice and obeys him, and is then gradually initiated into the objects of its future labours.”