not taught to fight. This king hath a very large place wherein he taketh
the wilde elephants. It standeth about a mile from Pegu, builded with a
faire court within, and is in a great groue or wood: and there be many
huntsmen, which go into the wildernesse with she elephants: for without the
she they are not to be taken. And they be taught for that purpose: and
euery hunter hath fiue or sixe of them: and they say that they annoint the
she elephants with a certaine ointment, which when the wild elephant doth
smell, he will not leaue her. When they haue brought the wilde elephant
neere vnto the place, they send word vnto the towne, and many horse men and
footmen come out and cause the she elephant to enter into a strait way
which doeth go to the palace, and the she and the he do runne in: for it is
like a wood: and when they be in, the gate doth shut. Afterward they get
out the female: and when the male seeth that he is left alone, he weepeth
and crieth, and runneth against the walles, which be made of so strong
trees, that some of them doe breake their teeth with running against them.
Then they pricke him with sharpe canes, and cause him to go into a strait
house, and there they put a rope about his middle and about his feet, and
let him stand there three or foure dayes, without eating or drinking: and
then they bring a female to him, with meat and drinke, and within a few
dayes he becommeth tame. The chiefe force of the king is in these
elephants. And when they goe into the warres they set a frame of wood vpon
their backes, bound with great cordes, wherein sit foure or sixe men, which
fight with gunnes, bowes, and arrowes, darts and other weapons. And they
say that their skinnes are so thicke that a pellet of an harquebush will
scarse pearce them, except it be in some tender place. Their weapons be
very badde. They haue gunnes, but shoot very badly in them, darts and
swords short without points. The king keepeth a very great state: when he
sitteth abroad as he doth euery day twise, all his noblemen which they call
Shemines sit on ech side, a good distance off, and a great guard without
them. The Court yard is very great. If any man will speake with the king,