t river, the elephants should enter the water
in a line, ranged up and down the river. That is, the line should be
ranged along the bank, and enter the water at right angles to the
current, and not in Indian file. The strongest elephants should be up
stream, as they help to break the force of the current for the weaker
and smaller animals down below. It is a fine sight to see some thirty
or forty of these huge animals crossing a deep and rapid river. Some
are reluctant to strike out, when they begin to enter the deepest
channel, and try to turn back; the mahouts and 'mates' shout, and
belabour them with bamboo poles. The trumpeting of the elephants, the
waving of the trunks, disporting, like huge water-snakes, in the
perturbed current, the splashing of the bamboos, the dark bodies of
the natives swimming here and there round the animals, the unwieldy
boat piled high with how-dahs and pads, the whole heap surmounted by a
group of sportsmen with their gleaming weapons, and variegated
puggrees, make up a picturesque and memorable sight. Some of the
strong swimmers among the elephants seem to enjoy the whole affair
immensely. They dip their huge heads entirely under the current, the
sun flashes on the dark hide, glistening with the dripping water; the
enormous head emerges again slowly, like some monstrous antediluvian
creation, and with a succession of these ponderous appearances and
disappearances, the mighty brutes forge through the surging water.
When they reach a shallow part, they pipe with pleasure, and send
volumes of fluid splashing against their heaving flanks, scattering
the spray all round in mimic rainbows.

At all times the Koosee was a dangerous stream to cross, but during
the rains I have seen the strongest and best swimming elephants taken
nearly a mile down stream; and in many instances they have been
drowned, their vast bulk and marvellous strength being quite unable to
cope with the tremendous force of the raging waters.

When we had got comfortably seated under the shamiana, a crowd of
attendants brought us baskets of fruit and a very nice cold collation
of various Indian dishes and curries. We did ample justice to the old
soldier's hospitable offerings, and then betel-nut, cardamums, cloves,
and other spices, and pauri leaves, were handed round on a silver
salver, beautifully embossed and carved with quaint devices. We lit
our cigars, our beards and handkerchiefs were anointed with attar of
roses; an