In the course of my early morning rides
about the vicinity of Colombo, I frequently
reined in my steed to watch the quiet labours
of a couple of elephants in the service of
the Government. These huge animals were
generally employed in the Commissariat
timber-yard, or the Civil Engineer's department,
either in removing and stowing logs and
planks, or in rolling about heavy masses of
stone for building purposes. I could not but
admire the precision with which they performed
their allotted task, unaided, save by their own
sagacity. They were one morning hard at
work, though slowly, piling up a quantity of
heavy pieces of ebony ; the lower row of the
pile had been already laid down, with
mathematical precision, six logs side by side. These
they had first rolled in from the adjoining
wharf; and, when I rode up, they were
engaged in bringing forward the next six for
the second row in the pile. It was curious to
observe those uncouth animals seize one of
the heavy logs at each end ; and, by means of
their trunks, lift it up on the logs already
placed, and, then arrange it crosswise upon
them with the most perfect skill. I waited
whilst they thus placed the third row ; feeling
a curiosity to know how they would proceed
when the timber had to be lifted to greater
height. Some of the logs weighed nearly
twenty hundred-weight. There was a short
pause before the fourth row was touched ;
but the difficulty was no sooner perceived
than it was overcome. The sagacious
animals selected two straight pieces of timber,
placed one end of each piece on the ground
with the other resting on the top of the
pile so as to form a sliding way for the
next logs; and, having seen that they were
perfectly steady and in a straight line, the
four-legged labourers rolled up the slope they
had thus formed, the six pieces of ebony, for
the fourth layer on the pile. Not the least
amusing part of the performance was, the
careful survey of the pile made by one of the
elephants, after placing each log, to ascertain
if it were laid perfectly square with the rest.

The sagacity of these creatures in detecting
weakness in the jungle-bridges thrown across
some of the streams in Ceylon, is not less
remarkable. I have been assured that when
carrying a load, they invariably press one of
their fore-feet upon the earth-covering of the
bridge to try its strength; and, that if it feels
too weak to carry them across, they will
refuse to proceed until lightened of their load.
On one such occasion a driver persisted in
compelling his elephant to cross a bridge
against the evident wish of the animal; and,
as was expected by his comrades, the rotten
structure gave way, elephant and rider were
precipitated into the river, and the latter was
drowned.

Having thus been much prepossessed in
favour of these docile creatures, I learnt with
considerable interest in the latter part of the
year 1849, that an Elephant Kraal was in
preparation, in the Western Province of Ceylon,
not many miles from Colombo.

The word Kraal signifies simply a trap;
inasmuch as the wild elephants are caught
by partly driving, and partly enticing them
within a large enclosed space, or trap. It is
assuredly much safer sport than elephant
shooting, and generally attracts a large number
of spectators. I may here mention that
in spite of the scholastic authority of Mavor's
Spelling Book, the wild elephants of Ceylon
are far from being "neither fierce nor
mischievous." At times they descend upon the
low country from their mountain fastnesses in
such numbers and with such ferocity, as to
carry with them destruction, and often death.
Elephant kraals are, therefore, resorted to for
the double purpose of ridding a neighbourhood
of these dangerous visitors, and supplying
the Government with fresh beasts of
labour for their timber-yards and building
establishments. On these occasions the natives
of the district turn out en masse — from the
rich Modelier to the poorest cooly—to assist
without remuneration; all being interested in
the success of the affair.

The whole province was alive with excitement:
nothing was talked of at mess-table,
or at Government House, but the approaching
Kraal. Half Colombo, it was said, would
be there; and, as the weather promised to
be so fair, I could not resist the temptation
to witness the trapping of a score or two of
those unruly monsters of the forest.

Such excursions are always undertaken by
parties of three or more, for the sake of
comfort. I joined four friends for the occasion;
two gentlemen, and two ladies, mother and
daughter. They were well acquainted with
the Government agent of the locality; who
had promised them shelter, and good
accommodation for witnessing the Kraal. All
arrangements having been completed, our
servants, gaily turbaned, accompanied by a
swarm of coolies, bearing provisions, bedding,
and other comforts, started off one fine moonlight
night; and, at a little before day-break
on the following morning, we followed them
on the road; the ladies in a small pony-
chaise, and myself and friend on our nags.
Long before nightfall we reached the village
adjoining the scene of sport. We needed no
guide to the locality, for the narrow road was
crowded with travellers hastening in one
direction. Every description of vehicle lined
the way; from the Colonel's light tandem, to
the native bullock hackery, with its
ungreased squeaking wheels.

The scene at the village was singularly,
strange and exciting. It was close to the
banks of the Calany, a river of some size and
rapidity. Along the palm-shaded shore were
moored numberless boats; many of them large
flat country barges, or Padé boats, containing
parties of visitors from Colombo; who had
prudently determined to take up their abode
in those floating residences for the night.